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Rare Cavitary MAC Lung Disease Causing a Serious Broncho-Pleural Air Leak in an Immune Competent Patient
Abstract
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) is a non-tuberculous mycobacterium that can cause a variety of pathologies in both immune-competent and immune-deficient individuals. In this paper, I present a rare and unique case of severe MAC cavitary pulmonary disease complicated by a serious broncho-pleural air leak and persistent hydropneumothorax in a patient with normal immunity. His successful recovery took a lengthy antibiotic course and a segmental lung resection with pleural decortication. A brief discussion about MAC lung disease follows this presentation.
J Med Cases. 2013;4(12):825-827
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc1578w
J Med Cases. 2013;4(12):825-827
doi: https://doi.org/10.4021/jmc1578w
Keywords
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex; Cavitary lung disease; Broncho-pleural fistula; Hydropneumothorax; Segmentectomy; Pleural decortication