[Acute abdomen in abdominal actinomycosis]

The case of a female patient aged 34 suffering from abdominal actinomycosis is reported. She underwent emergency surgery for an abscess-forming tumour infiltrating the lateral abdominal wall and giving rise to the clinical picture of acute abdomen. The casuistry is complemented by two further case histories of actinomyces infections in patients with fistulas of the anal region and pilonidal sinus respectively. Abdominal actinomycosis presents itself as a rare chronic bacterial inflammation, usually located in the right lower abdomen, with local abscess or fistula formation as well as tumour-like infiltration of the surrounding tissues. Exceptionally, the diagnosis is ascertained prior to surgery. Postoperative antibiotic therapy with penicillin for several months ist essential.