Mycobacterium intracellulare lung disease that was detected by follow-up after pulmonary resection for lung cancer; report of a case

The patient was a 61-year-old woman diagnosed with lung cancer who underwent lower right lobectomy in March 2003. Brochopleural fistula developed in the 3rd postoperative month and subsequent chest drainage stopped the air leak. Chest X-ray on follow-up in August 2006, revealed nodular shadows in the lower right field and computed tomography of the thorax showed clusters of small nodules in the right S2. The bronchial washing specimen showed acid-fast bacilli, which was identified as Mycobacterium intracellulare by DNA-DNA hybridization. The patient showed radiological improvement following combination therapy with rifampicin, ethambutol, clarithromycin, and streptomycin.