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Actinomycosis of the colon
Summary
Actinomycosis, a rare bacterial infection, can mimic appendicitis or cholecystitis. This case highlights large bowel actinomycosis presenting as a transverse colon tumor, emphasizing the need for broader diagnostic considerations.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Actinomycosis is a rare bacterial infection caused by Actinomyces species.
- Intra-abdominal actinomycosis can present with diverse and often misleading clinical symptoms.
- Colonic involvement is uncommon and frequently misdiagnosed as other intra-abdominal pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of transverse colon actinomycosis mimicking acute cholecystitis.
- To emphasize the varied presentations of actinomycosis in the large bowel.
- To highlight the importance of considering actinomycosis in the differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal masses.
Main Methods:
- Case presentation of a 44-year-old female patient.
- Clinical evaluation for right upper quadrant pain.
- Diagnostic imaging and subsequent surgical exploration.
- Microbiological cultures of the tumor mass.
Main Results:
- A large tumor was identified in the transverse colon.
- Cultures from the tumor mass confirmed the presence of Actinomyces israelii.
- The patient's symptoms simulated acute cholecystitis.
Conclusions:
- Actinomycosis of the large bowel can present as a colonic tumor.
- Colonic actinomycosis is not limited to the cecal or appendiceal regions.
- Actinomycosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intra-abdominal masses, particularly when simulating other conditions.
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