Periapical actinomycosis: a review

Quintessence Int. 2005 Feb;36(2):149-53.

Abstract

Actinomycosis has increasingly been recognized as a cause of persistent or recurrent periapical disease associated with endodontically treated teeth. This case report shows the classic clinical picture of periapical actinomycosis: persistent periapical disease with recurrent sinus tracts. Although there was no pain or swelling after clinically acceptable initial endodontic treatment, a periapical lesion developed. After retreatment, the periapical lesion persisted, and a sinus tract developed. The sinus tract healed with antibiotic therapy but recurred within a few months. This cycle of sinus tract to antibiotic therapy to recurrence of the sinus tract repeated several times over a period of 5 years. Upon biopsy, periapical actinomycosis was diagnosed, where classic "sulfur granules" were demonstrated in the histologic examination of the periapical lesion. Antibiotic therapy for a period of 6 weeks was prescribed subsequent to the histologic diagnosis because of the possibility of spread of the actinomycotic infection into the maxillary sinus. Considerable healing was evident within 5 months of surgical and antibiotic treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycosis, Cervicofacial / complications
  • Actinomycosis, Cervicofacial / etiology*
  • Actinomycosis, Cervicofacial / therapy
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dental Fistula / drug therapy
  • Dental Fistula / etiology
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Periapical Diseases / complications
  • Periapical Diseases / etiology*
  • Periapical Diseases / therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Retreatment
  • Root Canal Therapy / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Doxycycline