Right abdominal mass: keep an open mind

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

(Published: 7 January 2010)

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