Fine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of cervicofacial actinomycosis: report of 15 cases.

Objectives: Actinomycosis is quite an infrequent bacterial infection nowadays. However it can be considered in cases with a persistent cervicofacial disease. Although it is a bacterial infection, microbiologic cultures are frequently not diagnoses, therefore histopathologic studies and image studies are essential. Our interest is to explain our experience with cervicofacial actinomycosis; the clinical behaviour, evolution and treatment, always assisted by their elected diagnostic technique: the FNAC.

Study Design: In the last 16 years, 15 patients have been diagnosed with cervicofacial actinomycosis by FNAC, treated by Maxillofacial, Internal Medicine and Paediatrics units. Clinical course, evolution, anatomical space situation, antibiotic treatment, and surgical treatment have been studied.

Results And Conclusions: The fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an easy, safe and rapid method, with a high effect, that has made the final diagnosis in 15 cases in our Hospital. All the patients have had a good clinical evolution, only in one case did we need a new treatment for recidive. In all the cases treatment has been definitive. Our interest is to explain our experience in the treatment of cervicofacial actinomycosis, its clinical presentation and evolution, together with its elected method of diagnosis, FNAC.