Abdominal actinomycosis in an elderly diabetic
Riyasat Ahmed Memon1, Yusra Shafquat2, Nausheen Yaqoob3
1Riyasat Ahmed Memon, MBBS. Registrar, Section of Histopathology, Department of Pathology, The Indus Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Abstract:
Actinomycosis is a rare infectious disease that presents as three entities, cervico-facial, abdominal and genital, with cervico-facial being the commonest. Due to its subacute presentation and indolent course, abdominal actinomycosis is difficult to diagnose and is often confused with malignancy. We present a case of an elderly diabetic with no known other risk factors of the disease with complaints of right sided abdominal swelling and presence of abdominal mass on imaging, diagnosed post operatively as a case of abdominal actinomycosis, on histopathology. Abdominal actinomycosis should be considered in differentials in cases with abdominal masses. Diabetes Mellitus is not an established risk factor for development of abdominal actinomycosis. Studies are required to link its association with the disease.
Insights
Actinomycosis, a rare infection, can affect the abdomen and mimic cancer. This case highlights the importance of considering abdominal actinomycosis in patients with abdominal masses, even with diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial infection with cervico-facial, abdominal, and genital forms.
- Abdominal actinomycosis presents insidiously, often mimicking malignancy, making diagnosis challenging.
- Elderly patients with abdominal masses require a broad differential diagnosis.
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