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Case Reports
. 2021 May 8;21(1):433.
doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06126-3.

A case of endobronchial actinomycosis as a challenging cause of lung atelectasis

Nicoletta Golfi  1 , Roberta Mastriforti  2 , Luca Guidelli  1 , Raffaele Scala  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

A case of endobronchial actinomycosis as a challenging cause of lung atelectasis

Nicoletta Golfi et al. BMC Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Primary endobronchial actinomycosis is exceptionally uncommon and can be misdiagnosed as unresolving pneumonia, endobronchial lipoma, bronchogenic carcinoma or foreign body. Predisposing factors are immunosuppressive conditions, chronic lung diseases, poor oral hygiene or foreign body aspiration.

Case presentation: We reported a case of 88-year old woman with a 4 days history of mild exertional dyspnea, productive cough with purulent sputum and fever up to 37.8 °C, who developed left sided endobronchial actinomycosis in absence of any pre-existent risk conditions; endobronchial de-obstruction and specific antibiotic treatment were performed with success, achieving a full resolution of the disease, with bronchoscopy playing a key role in the diagnosticand therapeutic pathways.

Conclusions: This case raises the necessity for increased awareness in the management of endobronchial lesions and in cases of suspected endobronchial actinomycosis; bronchoscopy plays a key role in the diagnostic and therapeutic process; prompt recognition of this entity can expedite proper treatment and recovery.

Keywords: Bronchoscopy; Endobronchial actinomycosis; Endoscopic treatment; Lung atelectasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Chest CT scan revealing a complete left atelectasis by endobronchial mass. b Bronchoscopic finding demonstrating the presence of an endobronchial white necrotized mass causing full occlusion of left main bronchus
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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