Surgical Resection of a Refractory Lung Abscess Secondary to Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma

Lung abscesses pose diagnostic and management challenges, particularly when they are associated with underlying causes, such as lymphoma. We report the case of a previously healthy adolescent with a lung abscess and lymphadenopathy. Despite antibiotics, improvement was minimal, and biopsy results were inconclusive. Surgery revealed an enlarged, adherent lymph node. Pathologic examination confirmed classic Hodgkin lymphoma invading the hilum and causing bronchial and vascular obstruction and secondary abscesses. This case highlights the importance of including lymphoma in the differential diagnosis of persistent lung infections and the surgical challenges arising from lymphoma-related lymph nodes with irregular enlargement and firm adhesion to surrounding tissues.