Related Experiment Videos
Extensive colonic stricture due to pelvic actinomycosis
1Department of Surgery, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Songpa-gu, Seoul, Korea.
Journal of Korean Medical Science
|April 1, 1995
Summary
This case report details a rare instance of pelvic actinomycosis, a bacterial infection, associated with intrauterine device use. The infection extensively involved the sigmoid colon and rectum, requiring surgical intervention and antibiotic treatment.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Pelvic actinomycosis is a rare, chronic granulomatous infection caused by Actinomyces species, often associated with intrauterine devices (IUDs).
- Diagnosis can be challenging due to its nonspecific symptoms, mimicking other pelvic pathologies like malignancy.
Observation:
- A 36-year-old woman with a history of IUD use presented with a tender abdominal mass and chronic constipation.
- Preoperative imaging suggested rectosigmoid colon or left ovarian cancer.
- Surgical resection revealed extensive actinomycotic abscesses in the sigmoid colon and rectum.
Findings:
- Pathologic examination confirmed actinomycosis, characterized by sulfur granules within abscesses.
- The patient received a 3-month course of parenteral and oral antibiotics (ampicillin and amoxicillin) post-surgery.
- No recurrence or complications were noted at 6-month follow-up.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering actinomycosis in the differential diagnosis of pelvic masses, especially in IUD users.
- It may represent the first reported case of IUD-associated pelvic actinomycosis extensively involving both the sigmoid colon and rectum.
- Successful management involved a combination of surgical resection and prolonged antibiotic therapy.