Jornal de relatos de casos clínicos

Abdominal Actinomycosis Mimicking Chronic Appendicitis

Abstract

Maya Paritsky and Leonid Cherepnin

Background: Abdominal actinomycosis is a rare chronic infectious disease. There are only a few reports of the disease of chronic appendicitis pattern. We present a case of abdominal actinomycosis mimicking chronic appendicitis. Case: A 29-year old male was admitted with symptoms of right low quadrant pain for a few weeks. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a solid mass without a clear border, near the cecum. On colonoscopy, normal colon and terminal ileum were seen, except for mild edema and a few tiny erosions around the appendiceal orifice. The patient received an antibiotic treatment. Three month later, abdominal ultrasound was performed and revealed the appendix enlarged to 9 mm, with thickened and hyperemic wall. Appendectomy was performed. On microscopic examination chronic active appendicitis containing Actinomycotic sulfur granules within inflammatory infiltrate was described. Treatment by Amoxicilline was recommended for 6 months.