Massive paediatric cervicofacial actinomycoses masquerading as an ulcerative malignancy

BACKGROUND: Paediatric cervicofacial actinomycosis is a rare infectious disease caused by Actinomyces spp. and usually presents as a chronic, suppurative and granulomatous inflammation with a propensity to mimic malignant conditions. CASE PRESENTATION: We discuss the case of an 11-year-old African female who presented with a chronic disfiguring cervical mass evolving over a 9 months period for which she had several unyielding consultations. Appropriate clinical and para-clinical evaluations were paramount to the diagnosis of an Actinomyces infection. We review the literature on its epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. CONCLUSION: Actinomycosis still poses a diagnostic challenge. It is important for clinicians to consider the possibility of such rare infections in apparently malignant looking masses and also in lesions not responding to several antimicrobial treatments. The condition generally carries a good prognosis if recognised early and histopathological diagnosis is the gold standard.