title: Pseudo-colonic carcinoma caused by abdominal actinomycosis: report of two cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abdominal actinomycosis is an infrequent chronic, suppurative infection caused by the aerobic gram-positive bands Actinomyces israelii.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report two cases of abdominal actinomycosis, simulating colon cancer. Before operation, both patients presented with abdominal pain and a palpable mass. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed an infiltrating irregular mass in the cecum and transverse colon, respectively. Surgical intervention was then performed under the impression of colonic malignancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postoperatively, pathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of abdominal actinomycosis in which the characteristic finding of sulfur granules in the resected specimen was demonstrated. After surgery, the patients continued antibiotic treatment with ampicillin for 2 months at our OPD and had no signs of recurrence 1 year after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Jiannren Hospital, 136 Nan-Yang Rd., Nan Tzu Dist., Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chau-Jiunn
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Tsung-Jen
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jan-Sing
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hsieh
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000382:microbiology*; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery / Q000382:microbiology*; D008875:Middle Aged