[Actinomycoma of the abdominal cavity]

Area of Science:

• Medical microbiology
• Surgical oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• A 31-year-old male presented with a six-month history of gastrointestinal issues.
• Initial management involved a transversostomy and treatment for a suspected abdominal tumor with chemotherapy and radiation.
• A pseudotumor was surgically removed from the abdominal cavity.

Observation:

• Histological examination of the removed pseudotumor revealed actinomycosis (actinomycoma).
• The patient received appropriate antifungal treatment.
• The intra-abdominal infection showed signs of receding post-treatment.

Findings:

• Histopathology confirmed actinomycosis as the cause of the abdominal pseudotumor.
• Antifungal therapy led to the resolution of the intra-abdominal actinomycoma.
• Successful treatment allowed for the reversal of the transversostomy.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering fungal infections in abdominal masses, even after conventional cancer treatment.
• Demonstrates the efficacy of targeted antifungal therapy in resolving complex intra-abdominal actinomycosis.
• Successful treatment can obviate the need for long-term ostomy, improving patient quality of life.