A CASE OF NON-TUBERCULOUS MYCOBACTERIOSIS WITH PLEURAL EFFUSION AND THICKENING IN A PATIENT WITH AN OCCUPATIONAL HISTORY OF ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

November 1, 2015

Kekkaku 2015 May [Link]

Nakanishi N, Shiojiri M, Inoue K, Moritaka T.

Abstract

We report a case of a 75-year-old man with pleural effusion and an occupational history of asbestos exposure. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) examination revealed FDG up-takes along his pleura, leading to an initial suspicion of pleural mesothelioma. Pathological findings of a diagnostic video-associated pleural biopsy showed epithelioid cell granuloma. Repeated sputum cultures were positive for Mycobacterium intracellulare. The patient was diagnosed with pleuritis caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). NTM should be considered a potential cause of pleuritis.

Posted in Case Study, Causation, Environmental Asbestos Exposure, Full Archive, Occupational Asbestos Exposure, Pleural, Type of Assessment:, Type of Mesothelioma: