Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.
2007 Jan;50(1):87-89.
Case Report: Cervicofacial Actinomycosis-Misdiagnosed to Parotid Abscess
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea. capetown@hanmail.net
- 2Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea.
Abstract
- Actinomycosis is a disease caused by an anaerobic bacteria called Actinomyces species (predominantly Actinomyces israelii), which is a common and normally nonpathogenic organism found in the nose and throat. The four major clinical presentations of actinomycosis include the cervicofacial, thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic region. Actinomycosis is difficult to diagnose because of variable presentation and fastidious nature of the organism in culture. A high index of suspicion and biopsy are often necessary to make the diagnosis, because the disease can mimic neoplasm or a chronic granulomatous infection. We present, with the appropriate review, a case of actinomycosis in the mandibular angle area which was mistaken for a parotid abscess.
