Base tongue actinomycosis

Actinomycosis is a bacterial, suppurative chronic infectious disease caused by Actinomyces israelii. Actinomycosis of the tongue is an uncommon form, and only 3% affect the base of the tongue. We report a case with dysphagia from an epiglottis, vallecula and tongue base mass. Diagnosis was made on histologic examination of a tissue biopsy. The disease completely resolved after chirurgical incision and drainage of the abscess and one month of oral amoxicillin therapy. The recurrence of the disease, five years later, made necessary a second surgical procedure and one year of penicillin therapy. We comment the possible causes of this recurrence.