Background Actinomycosis is a rare inflammatory bacterial disease caused by Actinomyces species which can infrequently affect the large intestine. Disseminated actinomycosis is reported as a rare complication associated with intrauterine devices. We report a case of intra-abdominal actinomycosis mimicking a transverse colon malignancy. Case presentation A previously healthy 40-year-old Sinhalese woman was evaluated for intermittent colicky left-sided abdominal pain for 2 months’ duration. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed a circumferential thickening of the wall and narrowing of the lumen of the descending colon with evidence of extraluminal extension to the adjacent parietal peritoneum and abdominal wall suggestive of a stage IV neoplasm. An exploratory laparotomy with extended left hemicolectomy was performed. Macroscopic evaluation revealed a mass lesion with multiple abscesses attached to the transverse and descending colon. Histology was suggestive of actinomycosis with no evidence of malignancy. Conclusions Abdominal actinomycosis should be considered in a young patient with chronic abdominal pain. It should be understood that the presentation may be vague and highly variable. Computed tomography-guided biopsy/fine needle aspiration or laparoscopy and biopsy may be useful in arriving at a diagnosis and can prevent unnecessary surgical intervention.

The isolated appendiceal Crohn's disease without preceding bowel symptoms is a rare phenomenon, especially in older patients. In this case report, we present a 60-year-old female with isolated appendiceal Crohn's disease presenting with acute appendicitis. She presented with classical features of appendicitis with elevated inflammatory markers. She underwent an appendectomy which showed an excessively swollen, oedematous, and reddish appendix with swelling extending to the base of the caecum. Histological evaluation was suggestive of Crohn's disease, and subsequent colonoscopy was unremarkable. Following appendectomy, she was asymptomatic without any recurrence of disease. The atypical morphological appearance of the appendix should raise suspicion of Crohn's disease. This case highlights the importance of histopathological analysis of the specimen, especially in abnormal clinical findings. The prognosis of such patients seems to be good, and additional treatment is rarely needed.

Lithium induced primary hyperparathyroidism is an uncommon endocrine side effect of long term lithium therapy. We studied the case of a 67-year-old female patient on long term lithium therapy for bipolar affective disorder, who developed resistant hypercalcaemia and parathyroid adenoma which required parathyroidectomy. Furthermore, the effect of chronic lithium therapy on parathyroid glands and serum calcium levels, its pathogenesis, and management were reviewed. Periodic monitoring of serum calcium levels in patients on long term lithium therapy should be practiced. Surgical removal of the affected parathyroid gland is an effective treatment modality in selected patients with resistant hypercalcaemia and parathyroid adenoma and/or hyperplasia. However, regular post-operative follow up is needed for early identification of recurrence in such patients.

BackgroundFistulae between the colon and upper gastrointestinal tract are distressing and uncommon complications of malignancies involving this region. We report a case of a middle-aged man with a locally advanced and metastatic distal transverse colon malignancy who presented with a duodenocolic fistula proximal to the primary tumor and underwent palliative surgery.Case presentationA 50-year-old Sri Lankan man presented to our hospital with a history of feculent vomiting of 1 week’s duration preceded by worsening constipation and abdominal fullness of 2 months’ duration. He also complained of anorexia and significant weight loss over the previous month. His physical examination was unremarkable except for his wasted appearance. Flexible sigmoidoscopy done at his local hospital had not revealed any abnormality in the left colon. Gastroduodenoscopy did not reveal fecal matter or any mucosal abnormalities in the stomach or duodenum. An abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan showed a mid-to-distal transverse colonic tumor with a duodenocolic fistula proximal to the primary lesion. At laparotomy, he was found to have an unresectable, locally advanced mid transverse colon tumor with diffuse peritoneal and mesenteric deposits and mild ascites. Palliative end ileostomy and gastrojejunostomy were performed before closure. Histology from the malignant deposits revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. He made an uneventful recovery with good symptomatic relief.ConclusionsMalignant gastric or duodenocolic fistulae are uncommon complications of locally advanced colonic malignancies with direct invasion to the stomach or duodenum. Although the characteristic clinical presentation of feculent vomiting suggests the diagnosis, cross-sectional imaging is confirmative in addition to staging the disease. Management is guided by disease stage, nutritional status, and the general condition of the patient and ranges from extensive bowel resection including the fistula to palliative options.

Key Clinical MessageThe clinical presentation of genitourinary tuberculosis (TB) may be variable and a high index of suspicion is required for a timely diagnosis, especially in endemic areas. Recurrent scrotal ulcers associated with epididymo‐orchitis even without other constitutional symptoms should alert the clinician of a possible diagnosis of TB.