| Abstract: | Actinomycosis is a chronic, granulomatous, suppurative and fistulasing infection related to a gram-positive bacteria (actinomyces israeli). Cervico-facial actinomycosis is the most common localization. The prevalence of abdomino-pelvic actinomycosis is increasing mainly with the increase of the use of intrauterin device. Its clinical presentation is variable and may mimic cancer or tuberculosis. The diagnosis of abdomino-pelvic actinomycosis is hard and most of the cases are detected during surgical exploration. We report two cases of abdomino-pelvic actinomycosis; in the first case, the disease was extended to the caecum and the abdominal wall. The skin biopsies made the diagnosis of actinomycosis, avoiding surgery. In the second case, the diagnosis of actinomycosis is made post operatively because of high suspicion of pelvic cancer. Through these two observations, we review pathogenesis of the disease, its clinical aspects and its diagnostic and therapeutic means. |
