Actinomycosis of parotid gland after maxillary molar extraction, case report and review of literature

• Published in: Journal of oral and maxillofacial pathology : JOMFP Vol. 27; no. 5; pp. 45 - 51
• Main Authors: Guvendir, İrem, Karabulut, Murat, Zemheri, Itır
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer India Pvt. Ltd 01-02-2023; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer - Medknow
• Subjects: Actinomycosis; Amoxicillin; Biopsy; Case Report; Case reports; Cheek; Cytology; Differential diagnosis; Exocrine glands; Head and neck; Health aspects; Hygiene; Hyphae; Leukocytes; Malignancy; Oral hygiene; Otolaryngology; Parotid gland; Patients; Penicillin G; Salivary gland; Toiletries industry; Tumors; cytology; parotid gland; Actinomycosis; fine needle aspiration
• ISSN: 0973-029X; 1998-393X
• DOI: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_257_22

Although actinomycosis is frequently seen in the cervicofacial region, it is very rare in the parotid gland. Furthermore, it can be confused with salivary gland malignancies in imaging. The most important underlying causes are cervicofacial trauma, tooth extraction history and poor oral hygiene. A 43-year-old male patient was admitted to otorhinolaryngology department with a complaint of progressive swelling on his cheek. The histopathological examination of fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy showed acute suppurative polymorphous leukocytes and actinomycese hyphae balls within histiocytes. The patient was started on amoxicillin 2 gm per day for two months. With antibiotherapy, the swelling in the patient's parotid gland decreased and completely healed at the end of six months. Primary parotid actinomycosis has been rarely reported in the literature, differential diagnosis is usually problematic as both clinical and radiological findings may mimic parotid tumour; however, it can be useful to apply FNA cytology for a quick diagnosis and treatment.