A case of pelvic actinomycosis affecting genital, urinary and digestive tracts: a rare misleading diagnosis

Abstract

Pelvic actinomycosis is an uncommon chronic invasive disease caused by a bacteria of the Actinomyces spp. Its diagnosis constitutes a clinical challenge and is usually reached in the postoperative period after resecting a pelvic mass that usually mimics advanced ovarian cancer. Although pelvic actinomyocosis involving the digestive and genital tract has been commonly described, very few reports have described cases involving both ovaries and requiring partial cystectomy for bladder involvement. Herein, we illustrate a case of pelvic actinomycosis with extensive involvement of multiple pelvic organs, misleading the surgeon into undergoing a complete clearance of the wrongfully thought adnexal malignancy.

Keywords

• actinomycosis
• antibiotic therapy
• culture
• cystectomy
• intrauterine device
• malignancy