Pentapati Chaitanya
Dr. Pentapati Chaitanya, India
Title: A case of cervicofascial actinomycosis presenting as recurrent neck abscess
Biography:
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION Actinomycosis is a slowly suppurative infection caused by Actinomyces sp. which are gram positive, facultative anaerobic, branching, acid-fast negative bacilli, belonging to the normal flora of the oropharyngeal cavity. Cervicofacial actinomycosis is uncommon. The diagnosis of cervicofacial actinomycosis is also challenging as high index of suspicion is required to clinch the diagnosis. We herein present a case of recurrent paratracheal abscess which was proven to be actinomycosis.
ABSTRACT Actinomycosis is a slowly suppurative infection caused by Actinomyces sp. which are gram positive, facultative anaerobic, branching, acid-fast negative bacilli, belonging to the normal flora of the oropharyngeal cavity. Cervicofacial actinomycosis is uncommon. The diagnosis of cervicofacial actinomycosis is also challenging as high index of suspicion is required to clinch the diagnosis. We herein present a case of recurrent paratracheal abscess which was proven to be actinomycosis. Keywords: Actinomycosis, Neck abscess, Actinomyces sp.
CASE REPORT A 25-year old female came with the history of neck pain from 1 week. Patient also complained of pain and difficulty in swallowing from 4 days. No history of fever was complained. Patient had history of recurrent episodes (three) of paratracheal abscesses which were drained and treated with intravenous antibiotics. Last episode was 2 years back. The computed tomography (CT) neck showed ill-defined soft tissue density lesion in paratracheal region with air pockets which was suggestive of organized abscess. Pus culture had grown beta haemolytic Streptococci during first episode and no growth in the further episodes. All the three times Ziehl Neelson stain of pus was negative for acid fast bacilli. But during the third episode antitubercular treatment was given empirically for 6 months.