Right abdominal mass: keep an open mind

Case report

English

Anuj Mishra 1, Mohamed Azzabi 2, Mohamed Hamadto 2, Jahnavi Mishra 3, Seeraj Bugren 2, Wael Hresha 2, Saleh Addalla 2, Ehtuish F. Ehtuish 2

1-Department of Radiology, National Organ Transplant Centre, Tripoli, Libya; 2-Department of General Surgery, Tripoli Central Hospital, University of Al-Fateh, Tripoli, Libya; 3-Department of Microbiology, AlMargeb University, AlKhooms, Libya

Libyan J Med 2010, 5: 4630 – DOI: 10.3402/ljm.v5i0.4630

Abstract

Amebic colitis is common in tropics, usually presenting with variable and non-specific symptoms. Amebomas occur rarely, usually in cecum and ascending colon, when they can masquerade as colon carcinoma. This report describes the case of a 27-year-old male who presented with right abdominal mass. Radiological examination prompted us to the differential diagnosis of ameboma and he was treated with metronidazole and broad-spectrum antibiotics for two weeks. Amebic colitis should be considered as a possible diagnosis when dealing with right-sided abdominal mass.

Keywords: ameboma; colon cancer; cecum; metronidazole

Link/DOI: http://www.libyanjournalofmedicine.net/index.php/ljm/article/view/4630/5109