Sinusitis of actinomycosis infection : a case report

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Actinomycosis is a bacterial infection, typically caused by Actinomyces species, which are normal oral flora.
• While actinomycosis can affect various body sites, sinus involvement is uncommon.
• Disruption of mucosal barriers can predispose individuals to invasive actinomycosis.

Observation:

• A 47-year-old female presented with unilateral maxillary sinus opacification and mild buccal pain.
• Initial computed tomography (CT) suggested fungal sinusitis due to opacified sinuses and a calcified fragment.
• The patient underwent trans-nasal endoscopic sinus surgery for removal of caseous material.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination definitively diagnosed actinomycosis, excluding a fungal etiology.
• The patient experienced an uneventful postoperative recovery.
• No recurrence of the sinus actinomycosis was observed during a 30-month follow-up period.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering actinomycosis in the differential diagnosis of chronic or atypical sinusitis.
• Aggressive actinomycotic sinusitis can potentially extend to adjacent anatomical structures.
• Awareness of risk factors like diabetes and immunodeficiency is crucial for managing patients with potential actinomycosis progression.