[A case of pulmonary actinomycosis with recurrent hemoptysis]

A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of hemoptysis in September 1999. Chest CT scans showed a nodular shadow with infiltration in the right S 7. Bronchial arteriography showed vascularization in the right S 7, and bronchial artery embolization was performed. However, in April and October 2000 hemoptysis recurred, and bronchial arteriography showed recurrence of vascularization in the same area, so embolization was performed again. Then, the patient was admitted in March 2001 because of recurrent hemoptysis. CT scans showed growth of the nodular shadow. Right lower lobectomy was performed, and the microscopic findings in the tissue from the resected lobe showed branching filamentous bacteria, and pulmonary actinomycosis was diagnosed. We concluded that pulmonary actinomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nodular shadows with recurrent hemoptysis.