[Pulmonary actinomycosis in a child].

Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare bacteriological disease, characterized by local suppuration and an extensive fibro-inflammatory process, with a possible pseudotumoral outcome. We report on a case in a 15-year-old boy, admitted in our department for prolonged pleuropneumopathy. Clinical and radiological findings were not contributive. The diagnosis of actinomycosis was obtained by pathology after surgical resection. This disease can mimic on lung X-rays a number of disorders, such as pulmonary tuberculoma, invasive tuberculosis or lung carcinoma. Pleuropulmonary actinomycosis is a rare intrathoracic infection during childhood, of which poor outcome and tough diagnosis lead usually to a surgical attitude given a picture of recurrent pulmonary abnormality. When the diagnosis is established, the treatment is medical.