Pulmonary actinomycosis in children: A prompt diagnosis can prevent surgery

Abstract

Pulmonary actinomycosis is an extremely rare disease in children. The diagnosis is challenging as the clinical presentation and radiological investigations may be atypical. We report a case of a pulmonary lesion extending to the chest wall posing as a malignant lesion. Biopsy revealed colonies of Actinomyces. Antibiotic therapy resolved the mass. A rare diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis should be kept as a differential diagnosis of such a mass in children.

Keywords

• actinomycosis
• infection
• pulmonary
• sarcoma