title: Pelvic actinomycosis with abundant ascites, pleural effusion, and lymphadenopathy diagnosed with endometrial biopsy and treated with medication only.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pelvic actinomycosis almost always presents as a "dry" type, and pelvic actinomycosis with ascites is extremely rare. We present an unusual case of pelvic actinomycosis with ascites, pleural effusion, and lymphadenopathy. Because of these atypical clinical features, a malignant process such as ovarian cancer or peritoneal carcinomatosis was suspected, but an endometrial biopsy revealed pelvic actinomycosis, which was treated without surgical intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 50-year-old Korean woman presented to our clinic with a 3-month history of abdominal pain and weight loss. An abdominopelvic computed tomography scan demonstrated ascites, pleural effusion, bilateral adnexal tubular structures, several enlarged lymph nodes in the paraaortic area, and diffuse peritoneal infiltration. Ultrasonography showed fluid collections measuring 2.7 cm in the cul-de-sac, 2.42 cm in the right paracolic gutter, and 3.13 cm in the left paracolic gutter. Endometrial/endocervical specimens showed marked chronic inflammation with sulfur granules, with a colony of filamentous organisms consistent with Actinomyces infection. The patient underwent antibiotic treatment for 6 months and recovered without complications or adverse events in the 13 months of follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pelvic actinomycosis should always be considered in patients with a pelvic mass and peritoneal infiltration, especially in the presence of intrauterine device use, despite the fact that abundant ascites, pleural effusion, and lymphadenopathy almost never accompany pelvic actinomycosis. Endometrial/endocervical biopsy may yield a diagnosis without an invasive procedure and should be performed. Because of the excellent response to penicillin, medical treatment alone is an effective method to eradicate pelvic actinomycosis without the need for surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inje University, College of Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: myankim@paik.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Myounghwan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inje University, College of Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jikung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Inje University, College of Medicine, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Chulmin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000658:Amoxicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology*; D001706:Biopsy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004717:Endometrium / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D034161:Pelvic Infection / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000658:Amoxicillin; D010400:Penicillin G
keywords: actinomycosis; ascites; intrauterine contraceptive device; ovarian cancer