Actinomycosis of the temporal bone with labyrinthine and facial nerve involvement.

Abstract

To demonstrate the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic findings of actinomycosis of the temporal bone. Case report and literature review. Analysis of a case through medical records and literature review. Actinomycosis is a rare cause of subacute-chronic suppurative infection of the temporal bone. We present an 11-year-old male with a history of ciliary dyskinesia presenting with a 6-week history of right-sided otorrhea, otalgia, and a 1-week history of progressive facial weakness. Final histopathology revealed a diagnosis of actinomycosis. A review of the literature showed 25 cases of temporal bone actinomycosis. This is the first reported case of actinomycosis causing facial nerve palsy and labyrinthine invasion. Effective treatment includes aggressive surgical debridement followed by long-term administration of appropriate antibiotic. Actinomycosis can be a cause for bone erosive lesions of the temporal bone and can result in significant morbidities. Prompt tissue diagnosis with suspicion for nonmalignant causes of bone erosive disease can help in implementing appropriate treatment.