Abstract

MERCHAN, Jorge  and  GOMEZ, Hernán. Abdominal and pelvis actinomycosis: a diagnostic and surgical challenge for the general surgeon. rev. colomb. cir. [online]. 2010, vol.25, n.1, pp.56-60. ISSN 2011-7582.

Abdominal and pelvic actinomycosis is a fairly rare chronic suppurative infectious disease of very infrequent presentation. It is caused by the Actinomyces israellí, a strictly anaerobic gram positive bacteria commonly found in the oropharinx, the gastrointestinal tract and the vagina. The most frequent clinical presentation of the disease involves the neck, the entire facial area, the thorax and the abdomino-pelvic cavity. The latter has been associated with the chronic use (more than five years) of the intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). The case of a 26-year old female patient is reported. She first presented with a history of several months of chronic pelvic pain and a firm non tender pelvic mass. She was then submitted to the department of general surgery of the State Hospital of Pitalito, Huila, Colombia, where de diagnosis of abdomino-pelvic actynomicosis was established postoperatively. The patient is doing well so far and still receives oral penicillin treatment.

Keywords : actinomycosis; pelvis; abscess; penicillins.

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