Sunrays and Granules: Rare Presentation of a Great Mimicker

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a chronic granulomatous infectious disease caused by gram positive bacteria Actinomyces. It is characterised by variable presentation that mimics malignancy, tuberculosis, nocardia and other fungal organisms. We present a rare case of primary cutaneous actinomycosis in a 36 years old female in left upper extremity which was clinically suspected as lipoma. May Grunwald Giemsa stained fine needle aspiration smears revealed the classic colonies of Actinomyces with basophilic radiating filaments, confirming the diagnosis of actinomycosis. A high degree of clinical suspicion is needed for early diagnosis of Actinomycosis which is readily treatable and curable if appropriately managed.

Keywords

• actinomycosis
• swelling
• lipoma
• fnac