Series of Cases Associating Radiological Clues Suggestive of Thoracic Actinomycosis

Abstract

Thoracic actinomycosis, a rare granulomatous disease, is often diagnosed late as it can cause symptoms that mimic those of other diseases, both clinically and radiologically. An early and more accurate diagnosis would prevent the considerable morbidity, and the unwarranted surgery associated with thoracic actinomycosis. Computed tomography (CT) images of thoracic actinomycosis patients are highly variable, and thus, often pose a diagnostic challenge. Herein, we report 4 cases of pathologically confirmed thoracic actinomycosis that presented as chronic cough and chest pain. CT scans of the 4 patients exhibited: a pulmonary mass, a nodule, unilateral lobar consolidation; and bi lateral lobar consolidation, respectively, along with minor radiology findings. Although the images were nonspecific, we aimed to focus on subtle imaging clues that are known to be suggestive of thoracic actinomycosis, particularly in conjunction with a characteristic personal history.