[Actinomyces diagnosed after prolonged clinical investigation focused on cancer].
We describe a prolonged diagnostic process of 7 months before an infection with Actinomyces species could be diagnosed. Initially, a malignant tumour of the pelvic area was suspected. The patient underwent 3 CT-scans, 4 ultrasound scans and 5 biopsies before the diagnosis was suspected. Only the fourth microbiological investigation could confirm the diagnosis. This case emphasizes the necessity of microbiological examination of biopsies, when a tumour is found and malignancy cannot be confirmed, and is a reminder of Actinomyces species as an important pathogen in such cases.
Onkologisk Afdeling R, Odense Universitetshospital, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark. mieyoon@gmail.com
Mie-Ran
MR
Yoon
Niels
N
Højlyng
Toke S
TS
Barfod
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*