J Gynecol Oncol.  2008 Jun;19(2):154-156. 10.3802/jgo.2008.19.2.154.

Pelvic actinomycosis with hydronephrosis and colon stricture simulating an advanced ovarian cancer

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea.
  • 3Center for Uterine Cancer, Research Institute and Hospital, National Cancer Center, Goyang, Korea. parksang@ncc.re.kr

Abstract

Pelvic actinomycosis is an uncommon disease in humans. It has nonspecific and variable clinical features, and thus it is difficult to diagnose. Moreover, appropriate management is delayed or overlooked because it can sometimes simulate advanced ovarian cancer. We report a case of pelvic actinomycosis which manifested with hydronephrosis and bowel stricture, lymph node enlargement and increased level of tumor marker caused by a large pelvic mass. Since this case showed clinical findings mimicking an advanced ovarian carcinoma, it was surgically diagnosed as actinomycosis after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Keyword

Actinomycosis; Ovarian neoplasms; Hydronephrosis

MeSH Terms

Actinomycosis
Colon
Constriction, Pathologic
Humans
Hydronephrosis
Lymph Nodes
Ovarian Neoplasms

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Pelvis CT showing a conglomerated pelvic lesion.

  • Fig. 2 Colon study showing a long segmental extrinsic compression of the sigmoid colon and descending colon.

  • Fig. 3 Hematoxylin and eosin stain of a 'sulfur granule' in left tubo-ovarian abscess (original magnification, ×200).


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