Intra-abdominal Actinomycosis Imitating Sigmoid Colon Cancer: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial infection causing chronic suppurative inflammation.
• Abdominal actinomycosis is exceptionally rare, comprising about 20% of all cases.
• Preoperative diagnosis is challenging, often mimicking malignant tumors.

Observation:

• A patient presented with symptoms suggestive of a malignant abdominal tumor.
• Surgical intervention was considered due to the diagnostic difficulty.
• Pathological evaluation revealed diverticulitis and actinomycosis.

Findings:

• The case underscores the difficulty in differentiating abdominal actinomycosis from malignancy preoperatively.
• Histopathological examination is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of abdominal actinomycosis is needed among clinicians.
• Non-surgical treatment options exist, potentially avoiding unnecessary surgery.
• This case emphasizes the importance of considering rare diagnoses in challenging presentations.