First report of a post-pneumonectomy nocardia empyema

Abstract

Post-pneumonectomy empyema (PPE) is an uncommon but serious complication that carries significant therapeutic challenges. We present a late-onset PPE due to Nocardia nova in an immunocompetent individual. Nine years after a right pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer, surveillance scans revealed new right pleural thickening and FDG avidity concerning for recurrence. Thoracoscopic pleural biopsies were negative for malignancy, but tissue cultures grew N. nova. Nocardia empyema is rare with few reported cases. Most occur in immunocompromised hosts, and all were associated with pulmonary or disseminated nocardiosis. Our case describes the first report of a PPE secondary to Nocardia.

Keywords: NSCLC; Nocardia; Nocardia nova; PPE; VATS; adenocarcinoma; chest infection; empyema; immunocompetent; lung cancer; pneumonectomy; post-pneumonectomy empyema.