Massive hemoptysis as a complication of pulmonary actinomycosis: a case report

Abstract

Massive hemoptysis is a rare life-threatening complication of pulmonary actinomycosis that should be treated promptly due to the risk of asphyxiation and hemodynamic instability. We present the case of a 57-year-old female who was presented to our center with massive hemoptysis. Thoracic computed tomography scan revealed a cavitated lesion with perilesional ground-glass opacity. Right lower lobectomy was then performed using uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery, excising a 13 × 12 × 8 cm cavitated lung fragment. The pathology service reported the presence of microscopical evidence of filamentous gram positive bacterial colonies, showing compatible features of pulmonary actinomycosis. The patient was discharged with oral penicillin with an uneventful post-operative course.