Neuropediatrics 2004; 35(4): 239-241
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-820895
Short Communication

Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cerebral Actinomycosis before Adolescence

E. Olah1 , C. Berger1 , E. Boltshauser2 , D. Nadal1
  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • 2Division of Neurology, University Children's Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Further Information

Publication History

Received: October 27, 2003

Accepted after Revision: March 11, 2004

Publication Date:
10 August 2004 (online)

Abstract

In a 10-year-old boy presenting with focal seizures and 6 months later with acute right-sided hemiparesis, the diagnosis of a cerebral abscess due to Actinomyces israelii was established. The immunocompetent child suffered from a complex congenital heart disease with pulmonary arteriovenous shunts and pulmonary hypertension causing mild cyanosis. His parents had been reluctant to agree to neuroimaging investigations resulting in a delayed diagnosis. Despite the long interval between first symptoms and commencement of treatment including neurosurgical excision of the abscess followed by a 4-week course of ceftriaxone, a complete recovery of the hemiparesis was observed. This patient is the first case with cerebral actinomycosis before adolescence reported so far.

References

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M. D. D. Nadal

Division of Infectious Diseases
University Children's Hospital of Zurich

Steinwiesstrasse 75

8032 Zurich

Switzerland

Email: david.nadal@kispi.unizh.ch