Abstract
- Although rare, a high level of clinical suspicion is needed to diagnose and cure actinomycosis in patients with indolent, unresolving, or relapsing chronic inflammatory disease.
- Actinomyces are commensals that become pathogenic when the mucosa is breached, and co-infection with other organisms is common.
- Disease is defined by anatomical location; orocervicofacial disease is the most common, followed by thoracic and abdominopelvic disease.
- A mass characteristically enlarges across tissue planes and local tissue invasion may lead to the formation of sinus tracts that can spontaneously heal and recur.
- Actinomycosis often mimics other infections and malignancy—clinically and radiologically.
- It is generally treated with long term antibiotics, usually penicillin, but surgery may be needed.
- Actinomyces are commensals that become pathogenic when the mucosa is breached, and co-infection with other organisms is common.
- Disease is defined by anatomical location; orocervicofacial disease is the most common, followed by thoracic and abdominopelvic disease.
- A mass characteristically enlarges across tissue planes and local tissue invasion may lead to the formation of sinus tracts that can spontaneously heal and recur.
- Actinomycosis often mimics other infections and malignancy—clinically and radiologically.
- It is generally treated with long term antibiotics, usually penicillin, but surgery may be needed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | d6099 |
| Journal | British Medical Journal (BMJ) |
| Volume | 343 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Oct 2011 |