"Pulmonary Actinomycosis attributable to presenting as cardiac tamponade: a case report".

BACKGROUND

Recently, it is reported that is the most common species causing actinomycosis. However, to our knowledge, there was no report about pulmonary actinomycosis attributable to presenting as cardiac tamponade.

CASE PRESENTATION

Hereby we describe a case of pulmonary actinomycosis attributable to presenting as cardiac tamponade. At first, the patient was diagnosed with bacterial pericarditis with lung abscess in the left lower lung lobe and underwent pericardial drainage. Three days after the removal of the drainage tube, atrial fibrillation followed by cardiac arrest with asystole occurred and immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation restored his circulation. Thereafter, he underwent pneumocentesis of the lung abscess and the culture grew . He was successfully treated with penicillin G.

CONCLUSION

This is the first case of pulmonary actinomycosis attributable to presenting as cardiac tamponade. We believe that an increased awareness of the disease is necessary to expedite diagnosis therefore minimizing morbidity and mortality.