A mimic of bronchogenic carcinoma - pulmonary melioidosis. (2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Joseph; Yap, Ashton; Wu, Eric; Yap, Jane
• Is Part Of: Respiratory medicine case reports. Volume 29(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020
• Subjects: Melioidosis -- Pulmonary mass -- Burkholderia pseudomallei; Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory Tract Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory System -- Periodicals; Chest -- Diseases; Respiratory organs -- Diseases; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2020.101006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-0071

Abstract

Abstract: We report a case of a patient with pulmonary melioidosis which radiologically mirrored a bronchogenic carcinoma with mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Such findings were observed in a Computed Tomography (CT) scan (Thorax) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan (Body) in a previously healthy 57-year-old man with no significant medical risk factors for melioidosis other than his previous exposures to soil during outfield military training in Thailand, 37 and 28 years ago. He presented with acute symptoms of dry cough, pleuritic pain and fever. A CT Scan thorax revealed a left lower lobe mass with left pleural and pericardial effusion and mediastinal lymph nodes. Similarly, the PET scan showed various fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron uptake in these areas. However the lung mass biopsy cultured Burkholderia pseudomallei concurrently with a Melioidosis serology titre of >1:1024. He responded to intravenous Meropenem followed by Co-Trimoxazole and Doxycycline over the course of 21 weeks, ultimately leading to the resolution of any significant radiological findings.