Carotid artery rupture and cervicofacial actinomycosis.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_48ABD54EBDC8
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Publication sub-type
Case report (case report): feedback on an observation with a short commentary.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Carotid artery rupture and cervicofacial actinomycosis.
Journal
Legal Medicine
Author(s)
Kummer A., Lhermitte B., Ödman M., Grabherr S., Mangin P., Palmiere C.
ISSN
1344-6223
1873-4162 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
1344-6223
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2012
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
14
Number
6
Pages
324-327
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
PDF: Case report
Abstract
Cervicofacial actinomycosis is an uncommon, progressive infection caused by bacilli of the Actinomyces genus. Actinomyces are common commensal saprophytes in the oral cavity which may have medical importance as facultative pathogens. Subsequent to local injuries to the oral mucosa, they may penetrate the deep tissues and be responsible for suppurative or granulomatous infections. We herein report a case of a 65-year-old man who underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy for a tonsillar carcinoma. An ulcerous lesion in the base of the tongue developed and spread to the carotid artery wall. The man died of a massive hemorrhage due to left carotid artery rupture. Postmortem computed tomography angiography performed prior to autopsy allowed the precise localization of the source of bleeding to be detected. Postmortem biochemical investigations confirmed the presence of inflammation associated with local bacterial infection. Histological investigations revealed the rupture of the left carotid artery surrounded by numerous colonies of Actinomyces. Acute and chronic inflammation with tissue necrosis as well as post-actinic, fibrotic changes were also found in the tissues surrounding the ruptured artery wall.
Keywords
Cervicofacial actinomycosis, Hemorrhage, Carotid artery rupture, Postmortem angiography, Postmortem biochemistry
Pubmed
Web of science
Create date
15/10/2012 15:28
Last modification date
20/08/2019 13:55
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