Cervicofacial actinomycosis. Rapid diagnosis by thin-needle aspiration.

Thin-needle aspiration cytology is a well-known minimally invasive technique that is used in the diagnosis of neoplastic disease. The same biopsy technique provides a means for immediate identification of actinomycosis. Aspiration specimens may be used for morphologic studies, as well as for microbiologic isolation. The diagnostic histologic feature of sulfur granules remains intact with this cytologic aspiration technique. This technique is a safe, simple, and rapid means of diagnosing actinomycosis and appears to have value in the diagnosis of other infectious diseases as well.