Multivisceral resection for colonic splenic flexure malakoplakia: a case report of a minimally invasive approach

Abstract

Malakoplakia is a rare granulomatous inflammatory disorder. Its diagnosis depends on histopathological findings; however, high-quality literature regarding proper medical/surgical treatment is lacking. A 38-year-old diabetic female patient was admitted to the emergency room with a history of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Colonoscopy revealed a lesion in the descending colon, and abdominal computed tomography revealed a splenic flexure mass involving the lower pole of the spleen and upper pole of the left kidney. Biopsies confirmed the diagnosis of malakoplakia. After completing antibiotic treatment, a restaging computed tomography revealed a discrete mass increase; hence, the patient underwent laparoscopic en bloc colectomy and partial nephrectomy. Postoperatively, the patient developed a pancreatic fistula, which was successfully treated with percutaneous drainage and antibiotics. The presence of pathognomonic Michaelis-Gutmann inclusions on histopathology is frequently reported as the key to diagnosing malakoplakia. Herein, we present a successful, minimally invasive surgical treatment for colonic malakoplakia.

Keywords

• malakoplakia
• minimally invasive surgical procedures
• colectomy
• nephrectomy
• type 2 diabetes mellitus