Abstract
A woman in her sixties, who had an abdominal abscess with a long-term placement of an intrauterine contraceptive device and received removal of the device, had multiple abdominal masses including a left ovarian mass. An ovarian tumor with multiple peritoneal metastases was suspected, and she received detailed examinations. During the examinations, the ovarian mass was found to have penetrated into the sigmoid colon and then she had to undergo an emergency operation because of acute peritonitis with severe inflammation due to an enlargement of the abdominal mass. Resection of the uterus and ovarium with drainage of the abscess and temporary ileostomy was performed. Numerous Gram-positive bacilli were observed in the resected tissue, and Actinomyces israelii was detected by the bacterial culture. In this case, it was considered that abdominal actinomycosis might be caused by the long-term placement of the intrauterine contraceptive device. After oral administration of penicillin for postoperative 6 months, she has had no recurrence as of 2 years and 8 months.
This case report suggests that the long-term placement of an intrauterine contraceptive device can cause abdominal actinomycosis.
