The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

Table of Contents - November 1997 - Volume 111, Issue 11  

Clinical Records

Actinomycosis oto-mastoiditis

M. Ajala1, J. Turnera2, Paul Fagana1 c1 and Paul Walkera3

a1 Department of Neuro-Otology/Skull Base Surgery, St Vincent' Hospital, Sydney, Australia

a2 Department of Anatomical Pathology, St Vincent' Hospital, Sydney, Australia

a3 Department of Otolaryngology, John Hopkins Hospital, Newcastle, Australia

Abstract

Actinomycosis of the temporal bone is uncommon. There have only been 24 cases previously reported in the English literature. The responsible organism is Actinomyces israelii, an anaerobic filamentous Gram positive bacterium. While the cervico-facial region is the most common site of the disease, involvement of the temporal bone is rare. The diagnosis can sometimes be made clinically by identification of sulphur granules in a glue-like substrate but in all cases involving the temporal bone, the diagnosis has been made at histopathology. Effective therapy consists of surgery followed by the long-term administration of penicillin.

(Accepted September 12 1997)

Key words

Correspondence:

c1 Address for correspondence: Mr P. Fagan, 352 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 Australia

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