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Actinomycotic osteomyelitis of the skull and atlas with late dissemination

A case of transient neurosurgical syndrome

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Abstract

Actinomycosis of the skull and/or the vertebral colum is extremely rare in previously healthy children and its diagnosis is difficult. A case is reported here involving the occipital bone and the atlas. The disease had started 4 years before diagnosis and presented as a neurosurgical affection in a 13-year-oldgirl. The disease spread towards the retropharyngeal space and probably disseminated to the liver and the lung. Actinomyces israeli grew from cultures. Antibiotic treatment was successful.

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Vannier, J.P., Schaison, G., George, B. et al. Actinomycotic osteomyelitis of the skull and atlas with late dissemination. Eur J Pediatr 145, 316–318 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00439411

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00439411

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