2000 Volume 14 Issue 6 Pages 703-707
In Japan, pulmonary infection due to Mycobacterium xenopi (M. xenopi) is a quite rarenontuberculous mycobacteriosis. We experienced a case of pulmonary infection due to M.xenopi, which required surgical intervention for diagnosis, because lung cancer could not beruled out on radiological studies.
A 51-year-old asymptomatic man with abnormal shadow on chest x-ray was admitted. Hehad a history of heavy smoking and pulmonary emphysema. Chest CT scan demonstrated amass with multiple small cavities at the apex of his right lung. Cytological and bacteriologicalsputum examination and bronchoscopic studies did not lead to diagnosis. Fluorodeoxyglucosepositron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan showed marked FDG uptake at the apex of hisright lung, and lung cancer could not be ruled out. Partial resection of the lung including themass was done. Microscopic studies of the specimen revealed caseous granuloma, whichresembled tuberculoma. Postoperatively, the infectious agent was proved to be M. xenopi by DNA-DNA hybridization. He was treated with isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, andethambutol for three months. Six months postoperatively, no recurrence has been demonstrated.
