Periapical actinomycosis: A follow-up study of 16 surgically treated cases

Abstract Clinical features of 16 immunocytochemically verified and surgically treated cases of periapical actinomycosis were evaluated. A. israelii was demonstrated in 13, A. propionica in 10, and A. naeslundii in 6 biopsy specimens. More than one of these species were present in 9 lesions. All cases had a long and complicated clinical history accompanied by fistulation and destruction of cortical bone plates. During a mean follow-up period of 28 months after periapical surgery, only 1 clear failure was found. The results indicated that periapical actinomycosis is more common than previously believed and that these infections can be controlled by ordinary periapical surgery.