doiSerbia

Actinomycosis of the cheek

Vidaković Bruno (General Hospital “Dr. Josip Benčević”, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Slavonski Brod, Croatia)
Macan Darko (University of Zagreb, University Hospital Dubrava, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia)
Perić Berislav (University of Zagreb, University Hospital Dubrava, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia)
Manojlović Spomenka (University Hospital Dubrava, Department for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Zagreb, Croatia)

Introduction. Actinomycosis is an uncommon chronic granulomatous infection first described by Bollinger in 1877. The infection is caused by actinomyces species and it is characterized by slow contiguous spread and suppurative inflammation, formation of multiple abscesses and sinus tracts with possible drainage of “sulfur granules”. Case Outline. We report an unusual case of actinomycosis of the cheek that occurred 6 years after buccal odontogenic abscess. A 56-year-old male was referred to the Department of Oral Surgery because of a painless swelling of the left cheek, which initiated three weeks prior to the referral. The diagnosis of actinomycosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination. In accordance with the diagnosis oral penicillin was prescribed for four months with complete resolution. Conclusion. This case of actinomycosis is presented as a rarity. For proper diagnosis, careful examination and a high degree of clinical suspicion are necessary.

Keywords: actinomycosis, buccal, granulomatous infection