Case Report

Actinomyces Acute Rhinosinusitis Complicated by Subperiosteal Abscess in an Immunocompromised 12-Year-Old: Case Report and Literature Review

Table 1

Cases of paranasal sinus actinomycosis with complications.

ReferenceAge/sexPresentationMedical historyImmune statusTreatmentOutcome

[4]42/FRight temporal headache (3 wks), negative for dental infection. Orbital CT-ill-defined mass isodense with the brain, in the posterolateral part of the right orbit, right afferent pupillary defect, central scotoma, right proptosis, ↓ right corneal sensation, and loss of right ocular ductions. Presumed orbital infection vs. pseudotumor.Low visual acuity → Count fingers (CF)Not reportedFailed treatment for presumed orbital infection vs. pseudotumor: dexamethasone, empiric antibiotics, high-dose oral steroid treatment
Orbital exploration via lateral canthotomy approach, green, purulent drainage
Metronidazole, penicillin V + probenecid
3-month follow-up:
moderate right ptosis, mild right abduction weakness
[5]62/FLeft upper eyelid swelling, forehead and unilateral headache, bilateral frontal sinus tenderness, and discharging fistula in the lateral aspect of the upper eyelid. CT-the destruction of both inner and outer table of the skull with sequestrum formation in the left frontal sinusDiabetes, left oroantral fistula after tooth extraction 1 year ago.ImmunocompromisedLeft Caldwell-Luc for maxillary sinus drainage and fistula repair.
External approach to frontoethmoidectomy
Oral amoxicillin/clavulanate (8 wks)
Benzathine penicillin (6 mo.)
Resolution
[8]54/MLeft purulent nasal discharge (1 month), swelling and sharp pain at the root of noseUncontrolled DM, chronic Hep CImmunocompromisedIV ampicillin/sulbactam (6 days)
Oral amoxicillin (lost to f/u)
Surgical debridement of hard palate + nasal cavity
IV panipenem/betamipron + vancomycin → IV penicillin G (10 days) → d/c due to side effects (lost to f/u)
Death from multiorgan failure and DIC from disseminated infection
[10]37/MFever, severe frontal headache, left retrobulbar and hemifacial pain, nasal obstruction, diplopia, and absence of left lateral gazeUnremarkableNormalBilateral transethmoidal sphenoidectomy + extensive removal of the anterior left sphenoid wall.
IV vancomycin (2 wks), ceftriaxone, levofloxacin, pantoprazole, methylprednisolone
Oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (8 wks) + saline nasal irrigations
Resolution
[17]18/MFever, frontal headache, and bilateral papilledema. CT-ring-enhancing cystic mass in the right frontal lobeRecurrent rhinopharyngitisNormalIV ciprofloxacin-metronidazole
Oral erythromycin
x
Resolution
[18]35/MLeft eye proptosis and ptosis. CT-left pansinusitis and subdural empyema, cerebral edema with midline shiftDental extractionNot reportedIV cefotaxime-metronidazole
Bedside percutaneous twist-drill aspiration (25 cc purulent material cultured)
Frontotemporoparietal craniotomy and superior orbitotomy
Penicillin (2 wks.)
Oral tetracycline (4 wks.)
Resolution
[19]43/MEpisodic left facial and temporal pain (2 months), acute onset diplopia, abducens nerve palsy, CT, and MRI-bilateral cavernous sinus swellingDental cariesNot reportedOral corticosteroids (for presumed Tolosa Hunt syndrome)
MRI → return of cavernous sinus swelling → pterional craniotomy + 
V penicillin (8 wks) + oral penicillin (3 mo.)
Resolution

CT: computed tomography, ESS: endoscopic sinus surgery, and IV: intravenous, and MRI: magnetic resonance imaging.