A CASE OF PELVIC ACTINOMYCOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INTRAUTERINE DEVICE

• Main Authors: Mateja Pirš, Tatjana Lejko Zupanc, Stelio Rakar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovenian Medical Association 2004-02-01
• Series: Zdravniški Vestnik
• Subjects: actinomycosis; pelvic actinomycosis; intrauterine device
• Online Access: http://vestnik.szd.si/index.php/ZdravVest/article/view/2252

<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.<br /><br /></p>