Rectal actinomycosis mimicking malignancy

Abstract

Abdominal actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative infection caused by Actinomyces species. The ileo-cecal region is most commonly affected, while the left side of the colon is more rarely involved. The infection has a tendency to infiltrate adjacent tissues and is, therefore, rarely confined to a single organ. Presentation may vary from non-specific symptoms and signs to an acute abdomen. We present a 56-year-old male who underwent a colonoscopy for complaints of bleeding per rectum that showed an ulcero-proliferative lesion at the recto-sigmoid junction that seemed like malignancy. Multiple biopsies done were reported this lesion to be Actinomycosis. He responded well to medical management that avoided a major surgical procedure.

Keywords:

• Sigmoid
• rectum
• cancer
• actinomycosis
• surgery

Disclosure statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest.

Informed consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient.

Author contributions

AR contributed in drafting of the article, critical revision of the article for important intellectual content, and final approval of the article. CG contributed in analysis and interpretation of the data, drafting of the article, critical revision of the article for important intellectual content, and final approval of the article. VM contributed in interpretation of the data, critical revision of the article for important intellectual content, and final approval of the article. GR contributed in conception and design, analysis and interpretation of the data, drafting of the article, critical revision of the article for important intellectual content, and final approval of the article.