Abdominal actinomycosis associated with intrauterine device: CT features

Small bowel obstruction caused by intrauterine device infection

A 39-year-old previously healthy woman was referred to our emergency department by a primary care doctor on suspected to be acute enteritis, complaining of fever, anorexia, lower abdominal pain, and frequent diarrhea. The day after admission, although frequent diarrhea stopped, the abdominal distension worsened. An abdominal radiograph revealed several dilated loops of the small bowel, suggested that small bowel obstruction (SBO) had developed. White blood cell count and c-reactive protein were markedly increased, and abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed localized severely edematous bowel mucosa, increased adipose tissue concentration in the pelvis, and a beaded low absorption area in the uterus. Gynecological examination revealed the presence of a pus-filled plastic intrauterine device (IUD) in the uterus. The patient confided that she had sex with her husband 2 days before the onset of symptoms. A diagnosis of SBO due to pelvic peritonitis caused by IUD infection during sexual activity was made. The SBO was cleared in 12 days with fasting, peripheral parenteral nutrition, antibiotic treatment, and insertion of an ileus tube. This case reminds us that it needs to consider disorders associated with the uterine appendages, in women of reproductive age with lower abdominal pain.

Abdominal actinomycosis with multiple myeloma: A case report

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative infection, for which immune suppression is a predisposing factor. In unusual cases, this disease may present as an abdominal wall involvement simulating a soft tissue tumor as seen in the present case. The presented patient had no signs of trauma or surgical approach and the pathology was considered to be a primary abdominal wall actinomycosis. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult due to the nonspecific nature of clinical presentation, radiographic and laboratory findings. Surgery combined with antibiotic treatment is a curative approach for this relatively rare infection. Surgeons must be aware of this disease in order to ensure correct diagnosis and to prevent performing any unnecessary procedures. The present study describes a case of abdominal actinomycosis with multiple myeloma, together with a review of important points related to this disease.

Large bowel obstruction in a young woman simulating a malignant neoplasm: a case report of actinomyces infection

Pelvic and intra-abdominal Actinomycosis can be difficult to diagnose preoperatively and it may also mimic many other diseases, including malignancies. We present a patient with pelvic Actinomycosis probably caused by a long-standing intrauterine device (IUD). We emphasize the challenges in diagnostic process and stress that though a rare disease, intra-abdominal Actinomycosis should be suspected in cases with intra-abdominal mass of uncertain etiology. The early recognition may spare the patient from extensive surgical operation.

Actinomycosis of the sigmoid colon: A case report

Abdominal actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative infection caused by Actinomyces species. The ileo-cecal region is most commonly affected, while the left side of the colon is more rarely involved. The infection has a tendency to infiltrate adjacent tissues and is therefore rarely confined to a single organ. Presentation may vary from non specific symptoms and signs to an acute abdomen. A computed tomography scan is helpful in identifying the inflammatory process and the organs involved. It also allows visual guidance for percutaneous drainage of abscesses, thus aiding diagnosis. Culture is difficult because of the anaerobic character and slow growth of actinomycetes. Colonoscopy is usually normal, but may shows signs of external compression. Preoperative diagnosis is rare and is established only in less than 10% of cases. In uncomplicated disease, high dose antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment. Surgery is often performed because of a difficulty in diagnosis. Surgery and antibiotics are required in the case of complicated disease. Combined medical and surgical treatment achieves a cure in about 90% of cases. The authors report a case of sigmoid actinomycosis where diagnosis was made from the histology, and a review of the literature is presented.

Huge pelvic mass, cutaneous and vaginal fistulas, and bilateral hydronephrosis: a rare presentation of actinomycosis with a good response to conservative treatment and with long-term sequelae of renal atrophy and hydronephrosis

OBJECTIVE

Actinomycosis with an extended pelvic abscess is an uncommon condition, which usually occurs coincident with the presence of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) in the uterine cavity. The clinical picture of pelvic actinomycosis may vary between individuals, is often accompanied by complications, and is frequently misdiagnosed. Here, we report a case of pelvic actinomycosis, presenting as a huge pelvic mass and complicated by a vaginal fistula, a cutaneous fistula, and bilateral hydronephrosis, and we discuss the diagnosis and management of this patient.

CASE REPORT

A 35-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a huge pelvic complex mass and progressively worsening low abdominal pain. The tumor workup, which included a computed tomography (CT) scan, revealed an extended pelvic abscess and bilateral hydronephrosis. Both cutaneous and vaginal fistulas were also noted. Endometrial curettage and biopsies of the skin and vaginal lesions confirmed the diagnosis of actinomycosis. The patient underwent conservative treatment and recovered well, although the skin lesion only healed after 12 weeks of oral antibiotic treatment. At the 1-year follow-up, a CT scan showed sequelae including a mildly atrophic left kidney and left hydronephrosis.

CONCLUSION

In patients presenting with a pelvic mass and an IUD in the uterine cavity, the diagnosis of actinomycosis should be seriously considered. A detailed workup, including a CT scan, endometrial curettage and biopsies where possible, should be performed before surgery. Once diagnosis has been confirmed, conservative medical treatment should be attempted before considering laparotomy, to reduce the risk of complications. Despite successful treatment with antibiotics, long-term sequelae such as hydronephrosis and renal atrophy are possible in cases of extended pelvic actinomycosis.

Abdominal actinomycosis associated with a sigmoid colon perforation in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Abdominal actinomycosis causing hydronephrosis in a patient with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is very rare. A 27- year-old female patient was admitted complaining of lower abdominal pain. She had undergone ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery 10 years ago. Abdominal Ultrasonography and a CT scan demonstrated an inflammatory mass in the lower left quadrant of the abdomen causing obstructive hydroureter and hydronephrosis. Laparotomy revealed a diffusely infiltrating mass involving the small bowel, mesentery, and sigmoid colon, and a 1cm perforation in the sigmoid colon. Actinomycosis was diagnosed upon histological examination. After treatment with antibiotics and surgery, the patient's condition improved.

Actinomycosis mimicking recurrent carcinoma after Whipple’s operation

Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic, spreading, suppurative, granulomatous and fibrosing infection. Actinomyces are normal inhabitants of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract. They rarely cause disease and are seldom reported as pathogens. Herein, we reported on a 69-year-old male patient who had undergone Whipple’s operation due to ampulla Vater carcinoma, and became infected with actinomycosis at the pancreaticojejunostomy, which mimicked a recurrent malignancy. He was treated with radical resection of the mass at the pancreaticojejunostomy and had an uneventful postoperative course.

Abdominopelvic actinomycosis involving the gastrointestinal tract: CT features

PURPOSE

To assess the computed tomographic (CT) features of abdominopelvic actinomycosis involving the gastrointestinal tract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CT scans were analyzed in 18 patients with pathologically proved abdominopelvic actinomycosis involving the gastrointestinal tract. Eight patients had a history of using intrauterine contraceptive devices. Bowel site, wall thickness, length, bowel involvement patterns, inflammatory infiltration, and features of peritoneal or pelvic mass, if present, were evaluated at CT.

RESULTS

Of the gastrointestinal tract, the sigmoid colon was most commonly involved (50%). All patients showed concentric (n = 15) or eccentric (n = 3) bowel wall thickening, with a mean thickness of 1.2 cm and a mean length of 8.3 cm. The thickened bowel enhanced homogeneously in nine patients and heterogeneously in the other nine. Inflammatory infiltration was mostly diffuse and severe. In 17 patients, a peritoneal or pelvic mass (mean maximum diameter, 3.2 cm) was seen adjacent to the involved bowel and appeared to be heterogeneously enhanced in most cases; infiltration into the abdominal wall was seen in four patients.

CONCLUSION

Actinomycosis should be included in the differential diagnosis when CT scans show bowel wall thickening and regional pelvic or peritoneal mass with extensive infiltration, especially in patients with abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis, or long-term use of intrauterine contraceptive devices.