Abstract

REDONDO, Katherine et al. Abdominal actynomycosis simulating malignant tumor of the colon. rev. colomb. cir. [online]. 2016, vol.31, n.3, pp.219-224. ISSN 2011-7582.

Actinomycosis is a rare and progressive chronic infectious disease. The diagnosis can be masked by inflammatory processes or malignant colonic tumors. Actinomyces israelii is the main pathogen isolated, frequently found as usual endogenous flora of the gastrointestinal tract mucosa; however, occasional mucosal disruptions may cause a chronic granulomatous inflammatory condition with various clinical manifestations. Less than 20% of patients are above 60 years of age, like our case, and it predominantly occurs in females (65%), generally presenting in the abdomen. Treatment combines resection of the mass and prolonged antibiotic therapy, often concluding with a satisfactory outcome. We report a 68 year old male with clinical symptoms of flank pain and right lower quadrant mass, associated with fatigue, weakness and weight loss. The mass was located in the abdominal right lower quadrant and right flank, indurated, painful and ill-defined, measuring 10 x 5 cm, with no signs of peritoneal irritation. Diagnostic imaging, total abdominal ultrasound and CT suggested a colonic neoplasia located in the right flank. No lesions were reported by endoluminal colonoscopy. Right hemicolectomy with ileontransverse anastomosis was performed. The specimen was sent for histopathological study, concluding the diagnosis of inflammatory pseudotumor secondary to abdominal actinomycosis.

Keywords : actinomycosis; colonic neoplasms; intestinal obstruction; therapy.

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