Pneumatocele formation in adult pulmonary tuberculosis during antituberculous chemotherapy: a case report.

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary pneumatoceles are thin-walled, air-filled cysts that develop within the lung. Most often, they occur as a sequela to acute pneumonia, commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and are found more frequently in infants and young children. Adult tuberculous pulmonary pneumatoceles are seldom reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

We reported a case of pulmonary tuberculosis with pneumatocele formation after antituberculous treatment. A 41-year-old man presented with fever and productive cough for 3 weeks. Chest X ray revealed cavitary lesions in bilateral upper lobes of the lung. Acid-fast rods were found in sputum and the cultures subsequently yielded Mycobacterium tuberculosis. After antituberculous treatment, obvious pneumatocele formation was noted in the right upper lobe.

CONCLUSION

The formation of pneumatoceles in adult pulmonary tuberculosis can occur before, during or after antituberculous treatment, and the development of complications of pneumatoceles was variable.