Abstract
This case report explores an unusual presentation of a commensal organism, Actinomyces, which mimicked a presentation of ovarian cancer. A 73-year-old woman presented to a tertiary level hospital with persistent left iliac fossa abdominal pain, anorexia and fever lasting over one week, with a three-month history of bright rectal bleeding. Imaging was suggestive of malignancy. Fine needle aspiration of an enlarged lymph node was non-diagnostic. Blood cultures taken at presentation became positive after two days for Gram-positive rods, which were most likely Actinomyces. The patient was treated with penicillin 1.8 g four hourly with rapid improvement. Actinomycosis is frequently misdiagnosed as malignancy initially due to its relatively indolent course. Lesions often resolve with antibiotics, without the need for surgical intervention.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | e9-e11 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Singapore Medical Journal |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 1 |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |