A CASE OF PELVIC ACTINOMYCOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

Abstract

Background. Actinomycosis is a rare slowly progressive infection caused by Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria from the genus Actinomyces. The disease is characterized by the formation of the abscesses surrounded by dense fibrosis that extend slowly across natural anatomic boundaries.Patients and methods. The case of a 49-year-old patient with pelvic actinomycosis associated with an intrauterine device is presented. The patient was successfully treated with the combination of antibiotic and surgical therapy.Conclusions. Pelvic actinomycosis is a rare disorder. The infection may occur as a consequence of an abdominal disease or an ascending infection from the genito-urinary tract. Diagnosis of the actinomycosis can be difficult, malignant disease if often suspected. The diagnosis is frequently not established until after surgery.

Keywords

• actinomycosis
• pelvic actinomycosis
• intrauterine device