Cranio-facial actinomycosis

Abstract

In the National Neurosurgical Centre in the Sultanate of Oman, four patients with cranio-facial actinomycosis were seen over a 5-year period. All patients had osteomyelitis and intracranial granulomata and the diagnosis was confirmed with histopathology. In two cases the organisms were cultured. In three patients the cranial spread was by contiguity from the scalp and face while one case had the extradural granuloma following a dental extraction. With medication there was gross reduction of proptosis and intracranial lesion in one patient and in two there was marked reduction in the size of the intracranial lesion as seen on serial computerized tomographic scanning of the head (CT head). Three patients are now asymptomatic and are being followed up while one expired with subarachnoid haemorrhage. Although eradication of the disease is difficult, with adequate medication and appropriate surgical intervention, three of these patients continue to remain relatively symptom-free for long periods of time.