[Resection of asymptomatic infected bulla associated with pulmonary tuberculosis]

The patient was a 49-year-old man. A physical examination in 1995 had disclosed the presence of a bulla in his left lung. Chest x-ray films taken in February 1997 disclosed niveau formation as an abnormal shadow in contact with the bulla. The patient was given a diagnosis of an infected bulla, and underwent an operation for partial resection of the S 6 portion of the left lung. The intracystic fluid was serous and no general bacteria or mycobacteria were detected. However, histopathological examination found granulation tissue associated with caseous necrosis and containing mycobacteria. The patient is currently receiving tuberculostatic agents on an outpatient basis.