A Case of Pulmonary Septic Emboli after Removal of BCGoma / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

ABSTRACT

Septic pulmonary emboli occur when thrombi contain organisms such as bacteria, fungi, or parasites. The septic emboli reach the lung from a variety of sources, including infected venous catheter or pacemaker wires, right-sided bacterial endocarditis, sepsis, septic thrombophlebitis, osteomyelitis, peritonsillar and subcutaneous abscess. Early clinical detection, along with prompt administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, is an important factor in the prognosis of patients, but unfortunately initial clinical diagnosis is often difficult because of nonspecific findings in clinical, laboratory data. But recently, the characteristic chest computed tormography (CT) and chest radiographic findings of septic emboli have been helpful in non-invasive diagnostic method of early detection. Especially, chest CT is an important method for confirming the presence of septic pulmonary emboli. We experienced a case of septic pulmonary embolism in a 5-month-old infant with fever and intermittent cough after removal of BCGoma. The diagnosis was made on the basis of a chest x-ray and a chest CT. The CT revealed the presence of multiple subpleural nodules, cavitation of nodules and feeding vessel signs. Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus was cultured in the wound swab culture on left axillary area. After administration of broad spectrum antibiotics, clinical and radiologic improvements were achieved.