Journal List > Korean J Gastroenterol > v.69(3) > 1007627

Yeo, Cho, Jung, Kim, Kim, Cho, Kim, and Seo: Actinomycosis Involving Chronic Pancreatitis: A Case Report with Literature Review

Abstract

Actinomycosis is a slowly progressive, chronic infectious disease. It is caused by the genus Actinomyces, which are gram-positive anae-robic bacteria. It presents as a mass-like lesion, composed of bacterial nidus and characteristic granulomatous inflammatory fibrosis. As such, it has frequently been mistaken for a malignancy. Surgical resection is a common procedure in these patients prior to a definite diagnosis. Although actinomycosis can occur in a variety of regions, including oral-cervicofacial, thoracic, and abdominopelvic cavities, the involvement of the pancreas is very rare. We report a case of a 44-year-old male with a symptomatic actinomycosis caused by a mass in the tail of the pancreas. The diagnosis was made using an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy without surgical resection. After the treatment with antibiotics, the pancreatic mass was confirmed to be resolved on the follow-up computed tomography.

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Fig. 1.
Computed tomography scan images. (A) Multiple calcifications and stones (black arrows) were also noted in the head of the pancreas. (B) Contrast-enhanced axial image (portal phase) revealed diffuse parenchymal swelling with multiple calcification (black arrows) at the body of the pancreas. (C) Contrast-enhanced coronal image (portal phase) showed heterogeneous enhancement of the pancreas parenchyma and peripancreatic strands (white arrows). (D) Multifocal uneven pancreatic duct dilation (white asterisk) was also observed.
kjg-69-191f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) images. (A) A 19-mm sized, ill-defined, hypoechoic and heterogenous mass with central calcification was identified at the pancreatic tail. (B) EUS-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy using a 20-gauge needle was performed.
kjg-69-191f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Microscopic findings for the specimen. The specimen revealed sulfur granules, consisting of a conglomeration of filamentous bacteria, which was shown at the surrounding tissue with dense inflammatory infiltration by lymphocytes, neutrophils, and foamy macrophages (A, hematoxylin and eosin stain, ×100; B, hematoxylin and eosin stain, ×400).
kjg-69-191f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Computed tomography image. Contrast-enhanced axial image (portal phase) revealed remarkable regression of pancreatic inflammatory swelling and peripancreatic inflammatory infiltration.
kjg-69-191f4.tif
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