Malignant mimic: pulmonary actinomycosis with contiguous vertebral involvement and spinal cord compression. Illustrative case

BACKGROUND Actinomycosis is a rare, globally distributed disease with an annual incidence of 1 case per 300,000 persons. It classically manifests as a cervicofacial disease with sinus tract formation and purulent discharge with or without sulfur granules. Spinal compromise occurs in less than 5% of cases; however, it causes significant morbidity associated with neurological impairment. OBSERVATIONS This case report presents a patient with thoracic actinomycosis invading the spinal column who presented with symptoms and imaging findings mimicking malignancy. Surgery was performed, and frozen section suggested infectious etiology. Diagnostic workup and targeted management improved the clinical status of the patient at the 3-month follow-up. LESSONS The differential diagnosis when dealing with spinal column lesions should include infectious etiologies. Intraoperative frozen section and Gram stain can be critical for a timely diagnosis and to avoid jeopardizing the clinical status of patients. Surgical management can be necessary when vertebral body destruction with neural compression is present.