Pulmonary textiloma revealed by hemoptysis 12 years after thoracotomy

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary textiloma or retained surgical sponge is rare but can have detrimental consequences. Its diagnosis is difficult, even when using computerized tomography (CT) scan and is always a medical and legal problem. EXEGESIS: We report the case of a 46-year-old man with a history of pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed by thoracotomy in 1986, who was admitted to hospital for hemoptysis. CT scan showed the existence of a pulmonary lesion. Clinical, radiological and fiberoptic endoscopy features mimicked an abscess or bronchiectasis. The patient underwent left inferior lobectomy. Anatomical findings led to the diagnosis of textiloma. CONCLUSION: This case shows the difficult in diagnosing pulmonary textiloma, even when using CT scan. Textiloma should be considered when an atypical pulmonary mass is found in a patient with past history of thoracotomy.