AUTHOR=Wang Yanying , Ren Xinyu , Shen Dongchao , Mao Chenhui , Wang Han , Peng Bin , Gao Jun , Cui Liying TITLE=Spinal Intrathecal Actinomycosis Causes Multisegmental Root Failure: A Case Report JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology VOLUME=11 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.00621 DOI=10.3389/fneur.2020.00621 ISSN=1664-2295 ABSTRACT=

Actinomycosis is a slowly progressing infection caused by Actinomyces species, which consists of filamentous gram-positive bacteria. Intraspinal actinomycosis is very rare and most of the previous cases presented with epidural lesions. Only two cases of intrathecal actinomycosis have been described. We reported a case of intrathecal actinomycosis in a 46-year-old woman. Our patient presented with multisegmental root failure, which was different from previous intrathecal cases mainly involving the spinal cord. The manifestations, cervical MR imaging results, biopsy and histopathological features, and treatment history of the patient were reviewed. Clinical features of this disease resemble intraspinal neoplasms, other infectious processes, and granulomatous diseases, thus being difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Histopathological evidence from the biopsy is important for timely diagnosis. Early diagnosis and treatment may greatly improve the prognosis.