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An overview of thoracic actinomycosis: CT features
Ji-Yeon Han1, Ki-Nam Lee, Jae Kyo Lee
1Department of Radiology, Dong-A University Medical Center, 3-1, Dongdaesin-Dong, Seo-Gu, Busan, 602-715, Republic of Korea.
Insights Into Imaging
|December 18, 2012
Summary
Thoracic actinomycosis, a chronic bacterial infection, presents with diverse radiological patterns. Understanding these patterns, including parenchymal, airway, and mediastinal involvement, aids diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
Background:
- Thoracic actinomycosis is a rare, chronic bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces species, notably Actinomyces israelii.
- It typically affects immunocompetent individuals with predisposing factors like respiratory disorders, poor oral hygiene, alcoholism, and chronic illnesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To illustrate the varied radiological manifestations of thoracic actinomycosis.
- To categorize the disease based on imaging findings in different thoracic compartments.
Main Methods:
- Review and illustration of radiological findings in thoracic actinomycosis.
- Categorization of imaging patterns based on affected areas (parenchymal, airway, mediastinum, chest wall).
Main Results:
- Thoracic actinomycosis exhibits distinct radiological patterns: parenchymal, airway (including bronchiectasis), endobronchial, and mediastinal/chest wall involvement.
- Key risk factors include underlying respiratory conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
- Specific CT findings for the parenchymal pattern include central low density within consolidation and adjacent pleural thickening.
Conclusions:
- Thoracic actinomycosis can be radiologically classified into parenchymal, airway, endobronchial, and mediastinum/chest wall types.
- Recognizing these CT patterns is crucial for diagnosing thoracic actinomycosis.
- Underlying respiratory disorders are significant risk factors.
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