Abdominal actinomycosis presenting as a small-bowel obstruction.

A 48-year-old female, presented as a case of acute abdomen with a small-bowel obstruction and a palpable hypogastric mass, was urgently operated. Laparotomy revealed a tumor mass of unknown origin that included a loop of the small bowel by compressing it. Resection of the tumor including a portion of the large and small bowel was performed, and pathohistological examination revealed actinomycosis.

Pelvic actinomycosis.

Pelvic actinomycosis is a rare chronic infection caused by bacteria of the family Actinomycetaceae. Prolonged use of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) is a well known risk factor. We report six patients with pelvic actinomycosis, all of whom had an IUD inserted for over six years.