Primary actinomycosis of the liver mimicking malignancy

Z Gastroenterol. 2009 Oct;47(10):1062-4. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1109752. Epub 2009 Oct 6.

Abstract

A 71-year old women presented with fever, a significant loss of body weight and abdominal pain in the upper right quadrant since approximately six months. Abdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an irregularly shaped, inhomogeneous and hypointense lesion of the right liver lobe (6 x 8 cm in segment 7 and 8) with multiple satellite lesions. Irregular shape, hypovascular presentation during gadolinium enhancement, hypointensity in T 1-weighted images and dilation of peripheral bile ducts were suggestive for cholangiocarcinoma or metastasis. However, histological investigations revealed a rare case of primary actinomycosis of the liver which was successfully treated with antibiotics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycosis / diagnosis*
  • Actinomycosis / drug therapy*
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hepatitis / diagnosis*
  • Hepatitis / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents