rare sites of actinomycosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
rare sites of actinomycosis
Central nervous system, bones, muscle tissue, and prosthetic joints may rarely develop Actinomycosis infections.
- central nervous system
- caused by direct spread from an orocervicofacial infection or from haematogenous spread
- CNS presentations may include:
- brain abscess, meningitis or meningoencephalitis, actinomycoma, subdural empyema, and epidural abscess
- non-meningitic infection causing symptoms of a space occupying lesion e.g. - headache and focal neurological signs related to the anatomical site of disease.
- musculoskeletal infections
- caused by spread from an adjacent soft tissue (75% of cases), from local trauma (19%) or haematogenous spread (3%)
- facial bones (especially the mandible) is frequently involved
- in hip and knee prostheses
- early presentation - suggests introduction of the organism perioperatively
- late presentation - usually due to haematogenous spread from an extra-articular site
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