Pulmonary botryomycosis on a lung cavity: a rare pulmonary infection mimicking cancer

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2012 Sep;60(9):607-9. doi: 10.1007/s11748-012-0063-x. Epub 2012 May 25.

Abstract

Lung botryomycosis is a rare disease. We report what is to our knowledge the first case occurring on a lung cavity. In a 42-year-old man suffering asthenia and cough, a chest radiograph revealed a right upper lobe opacity. Computed tomography scan showed a necrotic mass which was also spiculated. Repeated research for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was negative. The patient underwent a lobectomy. Histological and bacteriological examinations made the diagnosis of botryomycosis, because the cavity presented numerous colonies of pyogenic Fusobacterium nucleatum bacteria. Botryomycosis is a difficult diagnosis that clinically mimics actinomycosis, tuberculosis or cancer. In most cases, surgery is necessary to assess diagnosis and treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biopsy
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Fusobacterium Infections / diagnosis*
  • Fusobacterium Infections / microbiology
  • Fusobacterium Infections / therapy
  • Fusobacterium nucleatum / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents