OBJECTIVE: To describe a pulmonary actinomycosis case in a pediatric patient. CASE DESCRIPTION: A ten-year-old healthy girl was admitted with a history of chest pain for the past three months. During the last two months, she evolved with bulging of the left anterior chest wall. Physical examination showed a mass with 8.0cm diameter in the left inframamilar region, without signs of inflammation. Chest tomography showed an expansion process in the left anterior chest wall. Biopsy and culture of the material identified Actinomyces israelli. She was treated with crystalline penicillin and amoxicillin, leading to the disappearance of the thoracic mass. COMMENTS: Actinomycosis is a rare, indolent and invasive bacterial infection, and is often not considered in children as a cause of chest masses. Early diagnosis is uncommon.
actinomyces; actinomycosis; actinomyces; tomography; child
