Vocal Cord Actinomycosis: A Case Report

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

1 Department of otolaryngology, Shiraz Institute for Cancer Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz,Iran

2 Department of otolaryngology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

3 Department of pathology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction:
Actinomycosis is a systemic chronic bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces Israelii, an anaerobic organism normally resident in the human mouth. However, the actinomycosis of the larynx is very rare, and only about 15 cases have been reported in the literature so far. Most of the cases reported occurred in patients who had previously undergone radiotherapy for laryngeal cancer.
Case Report:
Here we report a case of actinomycosis of the larynx in a 14-year-old shepherd boy who was not immunocompromised but had a history of tooth extraction two months prior to admission to the hospital and severe laryngitis one year prior to admission.
Conclusion:       
Laryngeal actinomycosis might be related to poor oral hygiene and mucosal barrier disruption, as well as to being immunocompromised.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 23, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
March and April 2011
Pages 49-52

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