Pancreatic actinomycosis as a cause of retroperitoneal fibrosis in a patient with chronic pancreatitis. Case report and literature review.
BACKGROUND
Chronic alcoholic pancreatitis is a debilitating disease that is often complicated by pseudotumoral changes of the pancreas, retroperitoneal fibrosis, and pancreatic cancer. Actinomycosis is an uncommon intra-abdominal infection and its association with chronic pancreatitis has been rarely reported.


METHODS
We present a case of a patient with progressive long standing chronic pancreatitis who develops pseudo-tumoural changes and retroperitoneal fibrosis associated with actinomycosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This is a rare presentation of actinomycosis, posing a diagnostic challenge to the clinician, with important therapeutic implications.
Sahay
Samir John
SJ
Centre for HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
Gonzalez
Hector Daniel
HD
Luong
Tu Vinh
TV
Rahman
Sakhawat Hussain
SH
D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D050500:Pancreatitis, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012185:Retroperitoneal Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed