Abstract
Background. It is often difficult to distinguish pulmonary actinomycosis from lung cancer, tuberculosis and fungal infection. Case. A 62-year-old man with diabetes mellitus and bronchiectasis was admitted to our hospital because of persistent hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography revealed a nodular lesion in the right S^2-S^3. Serum tumor markers and plasma β-D-glucan levels were normal. Sputum cytology and culture were negative. Bronchoscopy showed a white mass in the right B^3 orifice and bleeding was seen in the distal portion of the bronchus. The mass was removed with forceps. The diagnosis was confirmed by detection of sulfur granules in the removed materials. After ampicillin treatment, symptoms disappeared and radiological abnormalities markedly improved. Conclusion. We reported a case of pulmonary actinomycosis with hemoptysis. Bacterial clots were directly observed by bronchoscopy. Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare disease. In this case, the bronchoscopic procedure was useful to diagnosis and treatment.
