Actinomycosis of the colon - a case report

Introduction: Abdominal actinomycosis is an uncommon disease. Nevertheless it should be considered in case of unclear tumor-like abdominal masses. Met hods: We report a case of a 49-year-old patient with an intrauterine device . The patient was submitted with a solid and painful tumor in the upper abd omen. After sonography, computerized tomography, gastroduodenoscopy and col onoscopy the preoperative presumptive diagnosis was a carcinoma of the tran svers colon invading the abdominal wall. Pathological examination after a r ight hemicolectomy surprisingly revealed an actinomycosis. Results: Based o n this case diagnostic tools and therapeutic options of actinomycosis of th e colon are discussed. Conclusions: This case illustrates the importance to consider the possibility of actinomycosis when finding an unclear abdomina l mass. After a surgical excision an abdominal actinomycosis requires antib iotic therapy.