Publication
Fatally invasive actinomycosis masquerading as a tonsillar carcinoma
Journal Paper/Review - Apr 30, 2014
Pezier Thomas F, Kastrinidis Nikos, Widmer Gian-Marco, Huber Gerhard, Probst Rudolf
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
BACKGROUND
Actinomyces is a bacterial rod found in the normal oral flora. It can gain entry to the submucosa via trivial wounds and ultimately lead to slow growing lesions which may mimic cancerous lesions.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We present the case of an elderly, immunosuppressed woman who presented with a herald bleed from a tonsillar lesion. Despite initial operative arrest of the hemorrhage, she died of a carotid blowout. At autopsy, no sign of cancer was found, but rather an invasive actinomycosis.
CONCLUSION
Although actinomycosis of the tonsil is well known and has even been described as mimicking tonsillar cancer, this is, to our knowledge, the first report of a carotid blowout secondary to actinomycosis.