[Diagnostic difficulties in diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease in a young man--a case report]

Lymphomas are neoplasms of lymphocytes and their precursor cells. This disease develops from lymph nodes or extranodal lymphoid tissue. A common site for such a tumour is the chest. The authors describe the case of a young man, who was admitted do the thoracic surgery department with a mediastinal tumour and an induration of the base of the neck. Initial diagnostic tests gave the wrong diagnosis of actinomycosis. A lack of progress in the therapy and the occurrence of a life-threatening condition led to the implementation of more aggressive diagnostic methods. In biopsies taken during thoracotomy, the patient was finally diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma of nodular sclerosis type.

Mediastinal tumours may cause diagnostic difficulties and, to avoid mistakes, typical histological studies should be complemented by targeted immunohistochemical tests.