[Abdominal actinomycosis]

Abdominal actinomycosis

Intra-abdominal and extraperitoneal actinomycosis are rare infections, caused by different Actinomyces species. However, they have been diagnosed more frequently in the last ten years. We report three cases of abdominal actinomycosis and a literature review of the last eight years. All three patients were diagnosed by means of histopathologic examination only. In one case, an intrauterine device (IUD) was associated with the infection. Therapy consisted of surgical resection of the inflammatory, infected tissue, and long-term antibiotic therapy. All patients are free of recurrence. Abdominal actinomycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of an abdominal pathology of insidious onset, especially when an IUD is in place. Even when infection had spread extensively, combined operative and antibiotic therapy cured most of the cases.

Rare presentation of actinomycosis as an abdominal mass: report of a case

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article was to report an unusual presentation of abdominal actinomycosis masquerading as a tumor.

METHODS

The patient was a 54-year-old male who presented with vague abdominal discomfort and a palpable left lower quadrant mass defined on CT scan. Multiple intraoperative core biopsies were nondiagnostic, and he underwent en bloc resection of the mass and adjacent organs for a presumed tumor.

RESULTS

Examination of tissue from deep within the excised specimen revealed sulfur granules diagnostic for actinomycosis.

CONCLUSION

Abdominal actinomycosis is an extremely rare infection that can mimic multiple disease processes and requires accurate diagnosis for successful therapy. This novel presentation and a review of the literature are reported.