Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2002 Aug;45(8):1396-1401.

Two Cases Of The Pelvic Actinomycosis Associated With The Intestinal Obstruction

• Yoon JH
• Lee SH
• Son HJ
• Jeong MY
• Kim SW
• Kim JW
• Han KT
• Ryu KS

Abstract

Pelvic actinomycosis is a chronic, progressive, granulomatous and suppurative disease caused by an anaerobic or microaerobic Gram-positive organism, not fungi. Actinomyces species exhibit branching, filamentous growth and appear in the human skin, oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract. Actinomyces infection in human is relatively rare, however, prolonged use of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) is a well known risk factor of pelvic actinomycosis. Pelvic actinomycosis can mimick pelvic malignancy leading to mutilating surgical excision, and diagnostic problems necessitated a laparotomy in many patients. The pathohistological diagnosis is based on the characteristic microscopic image and specific staining of sulfur granule. Adequate surgical excision and administration of antibiotics show good prognosis. We experienced 2 cases of pelvic actinomycosis with the intestinal obstruction, confirmed patho- histologically after laparotomy.

Keyword

Pelvic actinomycosis; intestinal obstruction; intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD)

MeSH Terms

Actinomyces
Actinomycosis*
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Diagnosis
Fungi
Gastrointestinal Tract
Humans
Intestinal Obstruction*
Intrauterine Devices
Laparotomy
Mouth
Prognosis
Risk Factors
Skin
Sulfur
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Sulfur