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. 2010 Jan 7:5.
doi: 10.3402/ljm.v5i0.4630.

Right abdominal mass: keep an open mind

Affiliations

Right abdominal mass: keep an open mind

Anuj Mishra et al. Libyan J Med. .

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; cecum; colon cancer; metronidazole.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Abdominal radiograph shows multiple air-fluid levels in small intestine.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Ultrasound showed the typical ‘target’ sign.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
a and b: Axial (a) and reformatted coronal; (b) CT scan images show the concentric irregular colonic wall thickening with multiple mesenteric nodes.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Two weeks post-treatment CT scan shows dramatic resolution of the right-sided colonic mass.

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