Colonic actinomycosis: Report of a case and review of the literature

Abstract

Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare entity which presents some difficulty in establishing a correct preoperative diagnosis. We report herein the case of a 41-year-old woman who developed abdominal actinomycosis involving the left colon and the surrounding retroperitoneum. The patient, who had an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) in situ, presented with left flank pain and the signs and symptoms of an intraabdominal mass, which was initially diagnosed as a neoplasm originating from the left colon or the retroperitoneal space. Thus, a left colectomy was performed, but the histopathological pathological diagnosis revealed abdominal actinomycosis. We evaluated the diagnosis and treatment of this disease in light of the knowledge acquired from the available literature on this rare entity.

Clinical Features of Abdominopelvic Actinomycosis: Report of Twenty Cases and Literature Review

“…Uncomplicated actinomycosis can be medically treated by antibiotics, although there are differing opinions in the literature about dosage and duration of antibiotic treatment 28,29. A prolonged treatment course is required because of the poor penetration of antibiotics into the fibrotic tissues.…”

Abdominal Actinomycosis—an Interesting Case

“…In the abdominal form of actinomycosis, the most commonly affected organs are the appendix and caecum; other reported sites being colon, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small bowel, anorectal region, pelvis, abdominal wall and urinary tract. Retroperitoneal involvement by actinomycosis has rarely been reported [6].…”

Abdominal Actinomycosis after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Rare Complication of Bile Spillage

“…Around the periphery of the abscess, there may be a pronounced inflammatory response with neutrophilic, histiocytic, and monocytic infiltration. Definitive diagnosis is based on anaerobic culture of the abscess material, but even cultures have a false-negative rate of about 50% [2].…”