Abscess mimicking lung metastasis in a 10-year-old boy – case report

BACKGROUND: Malignant pulmonary tumours in children are very rare; the majority are metastases. Nonspecific radiographic findings of these abnormalities are challenging and may delay the final diagnosis and treatment. CASE REPORT: A 10-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital because of the clinical and radiographic symptoms and signs of pneumonia with abscess formation in the left lower lobe. After initial improvement on antibiotic therapy, a significant deterioration of the patient’s condition was observed, together with progression in radiographic examinations. The patient was treated surgically and transferred to the Haematology and Oncology Department with a final diagnosis of pulmonary metastasis of clear cell sarcoma. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographic findings of metastatic diseases may mimic non-neoplastic pulmonary conditions. A lack of specific clinical symptoms and a confusing radiographic pattern in our patient with clear cell sarcoma lung metastasis caused serious diagnostic difficulties.