Isolated nocardial brain abscess in an immunocompetent patient with lung adenocarcinoma: A case report

Abstract

Brain metastases are common in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and can often be the presenting symptom. However, it is important to consider other etiologies for brain masses even in patients with a malignancy with a propensity to metastasize. We discuss the case of a 60 year-old immunocompetent male who presented with neurologic deficits thought to be secondary to brain metastases in the setting of an incidentally discovered lung cancer. Instead, the mass proved to be a rare isolated Nocardial brain abscess.

Keywords

• Nocardia
• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Brain abscess
• Immunocompetent
• Case report