title: Disseminated actinomycosis with spinal cord compression: report of two cases.
abstract: We studied two patients with vertebral actinomycosis and symptoms of spinal cord compression. Both patients had a chronic illness characterized by multiple draining skin lesions, weight loss, and progressive leg weakness. They responded to antibiotic therapy and corticosteroids without neurosurgical intervention. The patients were treated with antibiotics for 12 months, and remained well, without major neurologic disorder, for 2 years after stopping medication.
mesh_terms: D000190:Actinomyces / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents