Pulmonary actinomycosis
ICD-10 A44.1 is a billable code used to indicate a diagnosis of pulmonary actinomycosis.
Pulmonary actinomycosis is a rare but serious opportunistic infection caused by the Actinomyces species, particularly Actinomyces israelii. This condition primarily affects individuals with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, or those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. The infection typically manifests as a chronic, progressive lung disease, often resembling more common pulmonary conditions like tuberculosis or lung cancer. Patients may present with symptoms such as cough, fever, chest pain, and weight loss. Diagnosis can be challenging due to the nonspecific nature of symptoms and the need for specialized laboratory tests, including culture and histopathological examination. Imaging studies, such as chest X-rays or CT scans, may reveal lung abscesses or consolidations, but definitive diagnosis often requires tissue biopsy. Given its rarity and the overlap with other pulmonary diseases, awareness and clinical suspicion are crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Detailed clinical history, laboratory results, imaging studies, and treatment plans.
Patients presenting with chronic cough, fever, and weight loss, particularly those with known immunocompromised conditions.
Ensure thorough documentation of the patient's immune status and any co-morbid conditions.
Pulmonary function tests, imaging results, and detailed symptom descriptions.
Patients with lung masses or abscesses on imaging, requiring differential diagnosis from malignancies.
Document the rationale for imaging and any biopsies performed to support the diagnosis.
Used when a biopsy is performed to confirm pulmonary actinomycosis.
Document the indication for biopsy and the findings.
Ensure that the pathology report is linked to the diagnosis.
Common symptoms include chronic cough, fever, chest pain, and weight loss. Symptoms may vary based on the patient's immune status.
Diagnosis typically involves imaging studies, microbiological cultures, and sometimes biopsy of lung tissue to confirm the presence of Actinomyces species.
