title: Diagnostic difficulties with central nervous system actinomycosis.
abstract: When faced with expanding brain lesions of unknown origin showing a ring-shaped enhancement on post-contrast imaging, we use definite criteria to direct further investigation and distinguish among a number of possible diagnostic hypotheses. However, a correct diagnosis may be difficult in some cases, especially when dealing with less frequent conditions. This is the case of actinomycosis, a highly treatable but insidious infection for which nowadays there may be a low level of attention. Brain localization is associated with a significant morbidity and may represent a true diagnostic pitfall. Here we report the difficulties encountered with a case of central nervous system actinomycosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Via Tronto 10/A, Torrette di Ancona, 60020 Ancona, Italy. michele.bellesi@univpm.it
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bellesi
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Bella
authors.forename: Leandro
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Provinciali
mesh_terms: D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000368:Aged; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male