Esophageal Actinomycoses Mimicking Malignancy.
Actinomycosis is caused by anaerobic bacteria and rarely affects the esophagus. We present a case of esophageal actinomycosis in a 55-year old woman that mimicked malignancy. The patient presented with dysphagia and weight loss. Preoperative esophagogastroscopic biopsy revealed purulent material, but was inconclusive. Endoscopic ultrasonography suggested esophageal cancer, and chest computed tomography showed a mass in the lower esophagus surrounded by inflammation. The patient underwent esophagogastrectomy, and histopathology examination of the specimen revealed distal esophageal actinomycosis. Preoperative diagnosis of esophageal actinomycosis is difficult, but clinicians should be aware of its unusual presentations and its ability to mimic malignancy.
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
Raghavendra
R
Pillappa
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
Thomas F
TF
O'Brien
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
Jennifer L
JL
Sullivan
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee. Electronic address: bweksler@uthsc.edu.
Benny
B
Weksler
D000196:Actinomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019160:Endosonography; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic