[A classical form of actinomycoses involving the mouth, face bones, orbit and base of the cranium in an African patient].

Osteitis due to actinomycosis is now an uncommon clinical entity in industrialized countries. This report describes a classic case of imported actinomycosis involving the buccal cavity, facial bones, orbit and skull base. For two years after the onset, various diagnoses followed by different medical as well as surgical treatments were unsuccessfully attempted first in Senegal then in Italy. Proper diagnosis was finally established in Marseille, France, on the basis of histological findings after extensive surgical biopsy. The patient was treated with high-dose intravenous penicillin G for four weeks followed by daily oral administration of amoxicillin for one year. Surgical reconstruction could not be carried out before the patient's return to Senegal. The pitfalls of diagnosis and treatment of actinomycosis are discussed.