Abstract
Actinomycosis is a chronic infection caused by a gram-positive anaerobic bacteria from the species Actinomycesand causes a chronic colliquative inflammatory reaction known as actinomycotic granuloma, which is characterized macroscopically by suppuration, sinus tract formation, and purulent discharge containing yellowish sulfur granules. It can invade any part of the human body. This is a case report of a 40-year-old male patient known to the cardiothoracic team due to a sarcoma of the left lung. He presented with progressive thoracic myelopathy. Initially, the diagnosis was thought to be a spinal metastasis from the lung lesion. Further investigation revealed a thoracic actinomycosis with epidural granuloma tissue causing a spinal compression.
Highlights
Actinomycosis may be a fatal condition if not diagnosed and treated appropriately
The common species found in man is the Actinomyces israelii, which accounts for 85% of infections
Actinomycosis causes a chronic colliquative inflammatory reaction known as actinomycotic granuloma, which is characterized macroscopically by suppuration, sinus tract formation, and purulent discharge containing yellowish sulfur granules
Summary
Actinomycosis may be a fatal condition if not diagnosed and treated appropriately. It is caused by a gram-positive anaerobic bacteria from the species Actinomyces. Actinomycosis causes a chronic colliquative inflammatory reaction known as actinomycotic granuloma, which is characterized macroscopically by suppuration, sinus tract formation, and purulent discharge containing yellowish sulfur granules It can invade any part of the human body, but it classically affects three common sites, namely, cervicofacial (55%), abdominopelvic (20%), and mixed organs (10%), which include brain, pericardium, and extremities [2]. FIGURE 3: 5000x slide demonstrating Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon suggestive of Actinomyces He was started on intravenous ampicillin, which resulted in a dramatic improvement in his lower limb function. The patient’s neurological status returned to normal at the end of the treatment course
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