Actinomycosis of the pharynx

• Published in: Ear, nose, & throat journal Vol. 93; no. 9; pp. 404 - 408
• Main Authors: Lipowska, Anna M, Johns, 3rd, Michael M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Sage Publications, Inc 01-09-2014; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Actinomycosis; Actinomycosis - diagnosis; Actinomycosis - pathology; Actinomycosis - surgery; Aged; Antibiotics; Biopsy; Care and treatment; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Diagnosis; Diagnosis, Differential; Dysphagia; Family medical history; Humans; Infections; Infusions, Intravenous; Laryngoscopy; Male; Medical imaging; Medical treatment; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Organisms; Patient outcomes; Penicillins - administration & dosage; Pharyngeal Diseases - diagnosis; Pharyngeal Diseases - pathology; Pharyngeal Diseases - surgery; Pharynx - pathology; Pharynx - surgery; Postoperative Care; Recurrence; Reoperation; Surgery
• ISSN: 0145-5613; 1942-7522

Few cases of pharyngeal actinomycosis have been documented in the literature. We describe the case of a 67-year-old white man who presented with symptoms of dysphagia. Laryngoscopy revealed a pedunculated mass in the left posterior pharyngeal wall; an excisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperatively, the patient underwent 10 weeks of intravenous penicillin therapy followed by 4 months of oral antibiotics, and his condition resolved. We discuss the diagnosis, management, and complications of this rare infection.