Pulmonary Actinomycosis Treated By Lung Resection

¹ Departments of surgery, University of Colorado Medical Center, Veterans Administration Hospital, and Fitzsimons General Hospital, Denver, Colorado

Two cases of pulmonary actinomycosis treated by upper lobectomy are presented. Both patients had uncomplicated postoperative courses and were well at the time of this writing. There have been 26 other cases of pulmonary resection for actinomycosis reported in the English literature. A correct preoperative diagnosis was made in only one instance. Penicillin administered in the postoperative period makes pulmonary resection for actinomycosis safe. The diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis should be considered prior to thoracotomy in the patient who has an undiagnosed chronic lung inififrate without evidence of tuberculosis or carcinoma.