Abdominal actinomycosis with multiple myeloma: A case report
Vehbi Ercolak1, Semra Paydas2, Melek Ergin3
1Department of Medical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Şanlıurfa 63300, Turkey.
Oncology Letters
|September 10, 2014
Summary
Actinomycosis, a rare chronic infection, can mimic tumors in the abdominal wall, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Early surgical and antibiotic treatment is crucial for recovery.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Actinomycosis is a chronic bacterial infection often associated with immune suppression.
- It typically presents in the cervicofacial, thoracic, or abdominal regions.
- Abdominal wall actinomycosis is rare and can clinically resemble soft tissue tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of primary abdominal wall actinomycosis in a patient with multiple myeloma.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and management of this unusual presentation.
- To review key aspects of actinomycosis for surgical awareness.
Main Methods:
- Case report presentation.
- Review of relevant medical literature on actinomycosis.
- Discussion of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with an abdominal wall mass, diagnosed as actinomycosis.
- Preoperative diagnosis was challenging due to nonspecific clinical and radiological findings.
- The condition was successfully treated with surgery and antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- Abdominal wall actinomycosis can present as a soft tissue tumor, complicating diagnosis.
- Awareness of this rare condition is essential for surgeons to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary procedures.
- Combined surgical and antibiotic therapy offers a curative approach for actinomycosis.