[Manifestations of actinomycosis of the head and neck]

The clinical features of actinomycosis affecting the ear, nose and throat are presented. One patient with actinomycosis of the ear suffering from mastoiditis and a Bezold abscess is discussed in detail. The disease is rare: only 10 patients with actinomycosis of the tympanomastoid area have been described in the English literature. The diagnosis is therefore often delayed. Effective treatment requires combined surgery and long-term chemotherapy.