Childhood thoracic actinomycosis: case report.

Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial infection. It has a pseudotumoral appearance when localized to the lungs or mediastinum. The diagnosis is often delayed because clinical presentation is nonspecific, bacteriologic diagnosis is difficult, and culture growth is slow. The diagnosis is mainly based upon histologic identification of actinomycotic sulfur granules. Actinomycosis is usually sensitive to penicillin G. Surgical treatment is reserved for failure of medical treatment and complications. We report a case of thoracic actinomycosis in a 13-year-old boy.