Rapid diagnosis of actinomycosis by thin-needle aspiration biopsy

Actinomycosis was diagnosed in three cases by the use of thin-needle aspiration biopsy technic. Aspiration was utilized for morphologic studies and collection of material for microbiologic isolation. The critical histologic features of sulfur granules remain intact with aspiration technic. Thin-needle aspiration biopsy is a safe, simple, and rapid technic employed in the diagnosis of neoplastic disease. The use of this technic in the diagnosis of actinomycosis is demonstrated in this report.