title: [Ameboma: possible therapeutic decisions in an amebiasis-endemic region].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Amebiasis can mimic cecal tumors. Unless this infection is diagnosed in a timely manner, affected individuals may undergo extensive surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a retrospective analytical study of the therapeutic approach to amebiasis in a second-level hospital in an area of central Mexico with a high prevalence of this infection. Records from 2005-2011 were reviewed. There were 261 cases of amebiasis. Twenty cases were diagnosed by the histopathologist or on the basis of serological results. Sixteen patients underwent surgery due to acute abdomen, and four received medical treatment with metronidazole. Three treatment groups were analyzed: 1. hemicolectomy, 2. appendicectomy and antiamebic therapy, and 3. antiamoebic therapy alone. In the non-surgical group, imaging studies showed improvement with medical therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Length of hospital stay was higher in the group undergoing extensive surgery (p < 0.0133). There were no statistically significant differences among the remaining variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of ameboma in our environment is higher (7.6%) than that reported in the literature. We believe that, in endemic regions, ameboma should be ruled out in patients with a cecal mass. As part of the therapeutic approach, patients should be tested for amebiasis or receive antiamebic therapy with monitoring of the mass to avoid extensive resective surgery.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Central «Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto» San Luis Potosí , México.
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Villegas-Betanzo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Central «Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto» San Luis Potosí , México.
authors.forename: Mario Aurelio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martínez-Jiménez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Central «Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto» San Luis Potosí , México.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guevara-Torres
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Patología, Hospital Central «Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto» San Luis Potosí , México.
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Quintero-Meza
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina de Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México. Electronic address: medslp@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Aguilar
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Facultad de Medicina de Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México.
authors.forename: Jesús Emmanuel
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Arriaga-Caballero
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001062:Appendectomy; D002430:Cecal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D004748:Entamoeba histolytica; D004749:Entamoebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole
keywords: Absceso hepático; Amebiasis; Amebicidas; Amebicides; Cecal neoplasm; Disentería amebiana; Dysentery amebic; Entamoeba histolytica; Hepatic abscess; Neoplasias del ciego