Pelvic actinomycosis
Updates to Article Attributes
Pelvic actinomycosis infection is rare but serious infection caused by Actinomyces sp, an opportunistic gram-positive bacteria usually introduced by foreign bodies specially IUCDs, surgery, or trauma. It generally falls under the broader spectrum of pelvic inflammatory disease.
Pathology
Pelvic infection from several actinomyces sp can occur, which include:
- Actinomyces israelii: by far the commonest causative organism 3
- Actinomyces naeslundii
- Actinomyces viscosus
- Actinomyces eriksonii
The organisms are indigenous in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and genital tract, with opportunistic infection occurring when the mucosal barrier is broken.
Associations
- placement of intra-uterine contraceptive devices: usually when it has been present for a prolonged period
- approximately 25% of IUCDs eventually get colonised by actinomycosis
- 2-4% of IUCDs that are colonised ultimately develop a serious actinomycotic infection
Radiographic features
Actinomycosis infection can mimic many other pelvic pathologies on imaging. The spread of infective/inflammatory change across tissue planes, and in particular retroperitoneal extension into the psoas muscle may suggest towards the diagnosis. MostThe most common site of involvement inof the GI system is iliocaecalthe ileocaecal junction.
Other findings:
- indurated pelvic fat
- pelvic free fluid
- pelvic abscess
- hydronephrosis
Complications
- wider
Intraintra-abdominal extension: mainly through contiguous spread - formation of tubo-ovarian abscesses 2
- subsequent infertility
Treatment and prognosis
Treatment is usually with IV Penicillinpenicillin in uncomplicated cases. The presence of an associated complication such as a tubo-ovarian abscess would warrant surgical intervention.
Differential diagnosis
Due to its non specific-specific imaging appearances, pelvic actinomyces infectionactinomycosis can mimic several pathology such as:
- other forms of pelvic inflammatory disease
- pelvic malignancy
-
ovarian cancers: as a general rule, may incite more ascites and
lymphanopathylymphadenopathyref
-
ovarian cancers: as a general rule, may incite more ascites and
-</ul><p>The organisms are indigenous in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and genital tract, with opportunistic infection occurring when the mucosal barrier is broken.</p><h5>Associations</h5><ul><li>placement of <a href="/articles/intra-uterine-contraceptive-device-1">intra-uterine contraceptive devices</a>: usually when it has been present for a prolonged period<ul>- +</ul><p>The organisms are indigenous in the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and genital tract, with opportunistic infection occurring when the mucosal barrier is broken.</p><h5>Associations</h5><ul><li>placement of <a href="/articles/intrauterine-contraceptive-device-1">intra-uterine contraceptive devices</a>: usually when it has been present for a prolonged period<ul>
-</li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Actinomycosis infection can mimic many other pelvic pathologies on imaging. The spread of infective/inflammatory change across tissue planes in particular retroperitoneal extension into the psoas muscle may suggest towards the diagnosis. Most common site of involvement in GI system is iliocaecal junction.</p><p>Other findings:</p><ul>- +</li></ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Actinomycosis infection can mimic many other pelvic pathologies on imaging. The spread of infective/inflammatory change across tissue planes, and in particular retroperitoneal extension into the psoas muscle may suggest the diagnosis. The most common site of involvement of the GI system is the ileocaecal junction.</p><p>Other findings:</p><ul>
-<li>wider Intra-abdominal extension: mainly through contiguous spread</li>- +<li>wider intra-abdominal extension: mainly through contiguous spread</li>
-</ul><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Treatment is usually with IV Penicillin in uncomplicated cases. The presence of an associated complication such as a tubo-ovarian abscess would warrant surgical intervention.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Due to its non specific imaging appearances, pelvic actinomyces infection can mimic several pathology such as:</p><ul>- +</ul><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Treatment is usually with IV penicillin in uncomplicated cases. The presence of an associated complication such as a tubo-ovarian abscess would warrant surgical intervention.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>Due to its non-specific imaging appearances, pelvic actinomycosis can mimic several pathology such as:</p><ul>
-<a href="/articles/ovarian-tumours">ovarian cancers</a>: as a general rule, may incite more ascites and lymphanopathy <sup>ref</sup>-</li></ul>- +<a href="/articles/ovarian-tumours">ovarian cancers</a>: as a general rule, may incite more ascites and lymphadenopathy</li></ul>