Endobronchial Actinomycosis Associated with a Foreign Body

Abstract

We describe our findings in a 58-year-old mentally retarded patient with endobronchial actinomycosis surrounding an aspirated chicken bone foreign body. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such an occurrence Actinomycosis is a rare cause of an endobronchial mass and may strongly suggest a neoplasm. We report our clinical, endoscopic and pathologic findings in a case of solitary bronchial actinomycosis which was, presumably, caused by aspiration of a foreign body.

Pulmonary actinomycosis presenting as post-obstructive pneumonia

“…3 The most common presenting symptoms are cough, hemoptysis, sputum production, chest pain, and dyspnea, 2,5 with draining fistulas and rib osteomyelitis being less common. 6 The aspiration of foreign bodies has been associated with pulmonary actinomycosis; these foreign bodies have included organic materials like chicken or fish bones, seeds, and vegetable matter, and inorganic materials such as a dental crown and plastic pen cap [7][8][9] .…”

A Case of Pulmonary Actinomycosis Associated With Aspiration of Cedar Leaves

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Fourteen patients were in their 50s or 60s, accounting for the majority, and 1 infant and 3 patients aged 70 years or older were also reported. The male:female ratio was 13:6.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] We performed endoscopy using a thin bronchoscope, but no foreign body was noted within the visible range. As cedar leaves are very small, slender, and have unique shapes, they may have entered the peripheral bronchus not reachable with an endoscope.…”

Endobronchial Actinomycosis Associated with Broncholithiasis: CT Findings for Nine Patients

“…Rare cases of predominantly endobronchial actinomycosis have also been reported [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16], some associated with a foreign body [3][4][5][6][7], some without an associated foreign body or broncholith [8][9][10][11][12][13][14], and some associated with broncholithiasis [15,16].…”

“…Rare cases of predominantly endobronchial actinomycosis have also been reported [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Case reports of CT findings of endobronchial actinomycosis associated with broncholithiasis, however, have involved few patients [15,16].…”