Pediatric Actinomycosis Treatment & Management
- Author: Jorge M Quinonez, MD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD more...
Medical Care
- In patients whose actinomycosis is not critical, the option to treat medically along with prolonged courses of antibiotics is an acceptable alternative.
- A combined medical-surgery approach is frequently needed for complicated disease, especially when thoracic, abdominal, or CNS disease is present.
- The duration of therapy is prolonged and should be extended well beyond resolution of symptoms to decrease the likelihood of recurrence.
Surgical Care
- Surgery is indicated for resection of necrotic tissue, debulking of large masses, sinus tract excision, incision and drainage of empyemas, and abscesses and bone curettage.
- Surgery alone is not curative, and the use of prolonged courses of antibiotics is always required.
Consultations
- Pediatric surgeon
- Pediatric infectious diseases specialist
- Ear, nose, and throat specialist
- Dentist and/or maxillofacial surgeon
- Gynecologist
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