Solitary Pulmonary Mass due to Mycobacterium avium Infection in a Post‐Traumatic Lung: A Case Report

TL;DR

A rare case of Mycobacterium avium infection presenting as a lung mass in a post-traumatic lung is reported.

Contribution

This is the first reported case of MAC infection appearing as a solitary mass in a post-traumatic lung.

Findings

A 56-year-old man presented with a solitary mass in the left lower lobe following chest trauma.

Histopathology and culture confirmed Mycobacterium avium infection after surgical resection.

The patient did not require additional antimicrobial therapy post-surgery.

Abstract

Solitary pulmonary nodule or mass like presentation of pulmonary
Mycobacterium avium
complex (MAC) disease is uncommon. We report a case of solitary pulmonary mass caused by MAC infection arising in a post‐traumatic lung. A 56‐year‐old man with a history of left chest trauma, including pulmonary contusion and traumatic pneumatocele in the left lower lobe (LLL), was found to have a solitary mass in the same lobe. Chest computed tomography revealed a 33‐mm subpleural mass in the LLL. Bronchoscopy was non‐diagnostic. Serum anti‐glycopeptidolipid‐core IgA antibody was positive, but bronchoalveolar lavage culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were negative. Thoracoscopic partial resection of the LLL was performed for diagnosis and treatment. Histopathology revealed epithelioid granulomatous inflammation with necrosis, and culture and PCR confirmed
Mycobacterium avium
infection. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient has been managed conservatively without additional antimicrobial therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of MAC infection arising in a post‐traumatic lung as a solitary pulmonary mass.

We report a case of solitary nodular
Mycobacterium avium
infection arising in a post‐traumatic lung. Chest CT showed a solid mass in the left lower lobe, and the diagnosis was established through thoracoscopic surgical resection. Graphical abstract image Figure 2C,D.

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