title: Massive paediatric cervicofacial actinomycoses masquerading as an ulcerative malignancy.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Islamic Medicalised Health Centre, Babessi, Cameroon and Galactic Corps Research Group (GCRG), Buea, Cameroon. sama.carlson@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Carlson-Babila
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Sama
authors.affiliation: SporeData Inc., Durham, United States of America and Sangmelima District Hospital, South Region, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Nicole Fouda
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Mbarga
authors.affiliation: Islamic Medicalised Health Centre, Babessi, Cameroon and Galactic Corps Research Group (GCRG), Buea, Cameroon.|Community Humanitarian Emergency Board, Bangui, Central African Republic.
authors.forename: Calvin Eta
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Oben
authors.affiliation: Islamic Medicalised Health Centre, Babessi, Cameroon and Galactic Corps Research Group (GCRG), Buea, Cameroon.|Croix Rouge-Française, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Jules A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Mbarga
authors.affiliation: Djohong District Hospital, Adamawa Region, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Elvis Kiloh
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Nfor
authors.affiliation: Gynaeco-Obstetric and Paediatric Hospital, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Fru F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Angwafo Iii
mesh_terms: D000197:Actinomycosis, Cervicofacial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D000077727:Ertapenem; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D047090:beta-Lactams
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins; D047090:beta-Lactams; D000077727:Ertapenem
keywords: Actinomycosis; Cameroon; Cervicofacial; Malignancy