2014 Volume 36 Issue 5 Pages 492-497
Background. The development of endobronchial actinomycosis associated with a foreign body is rare. Case. A 77-year-old man with a history of right lower lobectomy for primary lung cancer suffered from a productive cough and fever 55 months after undergoing lung resection. A chest computed tomography scan revealed an infiltrative shadow in the middle lobe and endobronchial mass in the bronchial stump. Synthetic non-absorbable sutures had been used for the previous right lower lobectomy, and a bronchoscopic examination demonstrated exposure of the sutures with purulent exudates at the bronchial stump. Actinomyces was identified in a biopsy specimen, and the patient was diagnosed with endobronchial actinomycosis of the bronchial stump sutures as well as obstructive pneumonia caused by an inflammatory polyp. His condition improved, without any signs of recurrence for five years after removing the sutures and administering amoxicillin for six months. Conclusions. This is a very rare case of actinomycosis associated with bronchial stump suture. In this case, symptom relief was obtained following suture removal and the administration of antibiotic therapy. Absorbable materials and/or non-absorbable monofilament sutures should be used to suture and reinforce bronchial stumps following closure with a stapler.
