Pulmonary actinomycosis in children.

The radiological features of three cases of pulmonary actinomycosis in children are presented. Two of the cases had the classical roentgen features of chronic consolidation with overlying rib periostitis. The third had non specific consolidation but demonstrated extension through the diaphragm. Two of our cases were mentally subnormal children in institutional care. Their pulmonary pathology is almost certainly attributal to poor dental hygiene, a constant problem in this group of children. Hence, although pulmonary actinomycosis is rare in the general populus, we suggest it might be suspected more often in the subnormal group when chronic consolidation is present.