title: Recognition of renal actinomycosis: nephrectomy can be avoided. Report of a case.
abstract: Nephrectomy is performed for the diagnosis and treatment of renal actinomycosis. A cachectic 62-year-old man with a left renal mass underwent exploration and needle biopsy of the mass. No malignant disease was found. When his condition further deteriorated, the kidney was re-explored. Numerous biopsies intraoperatively finally revealed actinomycosis, so the operation was terminated with preservation of the kidney. Long-term treatment with antibiotics was begun with immediate, marked improvement in the patient's condition. At 1 year the renal mass had almost resolved. This is the first reported case of the diagnosis and treatment of renal actinomycosis without nephrectomy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre, University of Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalaff
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Srigley
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Klotz
mesh_terms: D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009392:Nephrectomy; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D010406:Penicillins