Clinical features of abdominopelvic actinomycosis: report of twenty cases and literature review.
OBJECTIVE
Intrabdominal actinomycosis is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. This chronic infection has a propensity to mimic many other diseases and may present with a wide variety of symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristic clinical features with review of the literature.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 22 patients with intrabdominal actinomycosis between January 2000 and January 2006.


RESULTS
There were two men and 20 women with a mean age of 42.8 years (range, 24-69). Twelve patients presented with masses or abdominal pain, whereas 3 patients presented with acute appendicitis. The rate of performing an emergency surgery was 50% due to symptoms of peritonitis. The mean size of tumor was 5.5 cm (range, 2.5-11.0). Sixty percent (n = 12) of female patients had intrauterine device (IUD). The average time to definite diagnosis was 10.6 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Intrabdominal abdominal actinomycosis must first be suspected in any women with a history of current or recent IUD use who presents abdominal pain. If recognized preoperatively, a limited surgical procedure, may spare the patient from an extensive operation.
Choi
Myung-Min
MM
Department of Surgery, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University of Medicine and Science, Incheon, Korea.
Baek
Jeong Heum
JH
Beak
Jeong Heum
JH
Lee
Jung Nam
JN
Park
Sanghui
S
Lee
Won-Suk
WS
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult