Cecal ameboma mimicking obstructing colonic carcinoma

Abstract

Ameboma is a mass of granulation tissue with peripheral fibrosis and a core of inflammation related to amebic chronic infection. The initial presentations of colonic ameboma usually include obstruction and low gastrointestinal bleeding. It may mimic colon carcinoma or other granulomatous inflammatory conditions of the colon in both the clinical presentation and the endoscopic appearance. Here, we report a case of a 45-year-old male with a presentation of abdominal pain and constipation, as well as clinical, radiological and endoscopic presentation resembling colonic carcinoma, that was managed operatively with right hemicolectomy and post-operative histopathologic finding of cecal ameboma.

Colon cancer or is it?: a fortunate aetiology for a caecal mass

“…In a developed country with low prevalence of amoebiasis, chronic infection with amoeboma formation poses a diagnostic challenge on imaging and colonoscopy 4 . Therefore, histopathological diagnosis is important to guide the management of medical therapy of amoebicidal drugs and to avoid unnecessary surgical resection of a colonic ‘tumour’ 5,6 …”

“…4 Therefore, histopathological diagnosis is important to guide the management of medical therapy of amoebicidal drugs and to avoid unnecessary surgical resection of a colonic 'tumour'. 5,6…”