ABSTRACT
We report a case of a 70-year-old woman who presented with mild exertional dyspnea and cough. Fiberoptic bronchoscopic findings revealed an endobronchial polypoid lesion with stenotic bronchus. The lesion was very similar to endobronchial tuberculosis. Histologic examination of the biopsy specimen demonstrated Actinomyces infection. There was a clinical response to intravenous penicillin therapy. Primary endobronchial actinomycosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of an endobronchial lesion, especially endobronchial tuberculosis in Korea.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Actinomycosis/pathology , Actinomycosis/microbiology , Actinomycosis/diagnosis , Bronchial Diseases/pathology , Bronchial Diseases/microbiology , Bronchial Diseases/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/pathology , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/diagnosisABSTRACT
Acute mercury inhalation poisoning is a rare cause of acute lung injury. It is usually fatal because of progressive pulmonary failure. We experienced a patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) after illicit use of mercury vapor for hemorrhoid treatment; he developed acute chemical pneumonitis following exposure to mercury vapor. Prompt treatment with corticosteroids and penicillamine for acute chemical pneumonitis was instituted; radiologic pulmonary infiltrates disappeared within a week, but late phase neurologic sequelae and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis progressed.