Actinomycosis of the middle turbinate: an unusual cause of nasal obstruction

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a rare chronic infectious disease caused by Actinomyces israelii, which is an anaerobic filamentous, gram-positive saprophyte organism of the oral cavity. Historically, these bacteria were known as fungi because of their light microscopic appearance. Actinomycosis consists of three different forms: cervico-facial (the most common form), abdominal and pulmonothoracic. It commonly involves the head and neck region including the mandible, paranasal sinuses, lacrimal gland, parotid gland and orbit. Poor oral hygiene and dental diseases have been known to be the source of actinomycosis. Actinomycosis is diagnosed with positive culture or detecting actinomyces colonies and sulfur granules in histopathologic specimens. The treatment of choice is surgical excision of the lesion and long-term penicillin therapy. Actinomycosis of the internal nose is extremely rare. There was only one nasal septum actinomycosis reported in the English literature, but there was no lateral nasal wall actiomycosis regarding the turbinate. Therefore, actinomycosis should not be overlooked for the differential diagnosis of intra-nasal lesions for the initiation of appropriate and early treatment.