A case of non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection along the pulmonary suture line after partial resection for aspergilloma

Abstract

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection frequently occurs in a sequela after pulmonary tuberculosis etc., but rarely occurs in the pulmonary suture line. We report a 68-year-old male who contracted non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection along the pulmonary suture line after partial resection of the right upper lobe for aspergilloma 5 years ago. He had been under treatment for diabetes mellitus. Increased nodule size was detected during follow-up. The recurrence of aspergilloma was suspected due to its location and increase in size. Therefore, we performed right upper lobe lobectomy. Through the pathological and bacteriological examination, we diagnosed the nodule as a guranuloma infected by Mycobacterium avium. We should consider non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection as a differential diagnosis in cases in which a nodule occurs along the pulmonary suture line.