To report a case of pediatric mediastinal actinomycosis that mimicked lymphoma and to highlight the role of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in diagnosis.
Approach:
Treatment: The patient was started on antimicrobial therapy, and due to ongoing uncertainty regarding lymphoma, underwent thoracoscopic partial resection.
Key Findings:
Mediastinal actinomycosis can present as a mass-like lesion in children, mimicking lymphoma.
mNGS can provide critical diagnostic information when conventional microbiological methods fail.
Integrated assessment of clinical, imaging, and pathological findings is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Interpretation:
This case highlights the need to consider infectious causes like actinomycosis in pediatric patients with mediastinal masses that suggest malignancy.
Limitations:
Limited literature on pediatric mediastinal actinomycosis may hinder awareness and diagnosis in clinical practice.
Conclusion:
This case illustrates the diagnostic complexity of pediatric mediastinal actinomycosis and the utility of mNGS in guiding treatment.
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