Apendicitis aguda y el riesgo de tumor maligno oculto. Presentación de un caso y revisión sistemática de la literatura / Acute appendicitis and the risk of hidden malignant tumor. Presentation of a case and systematic review of literature

Introducción: Los tumores apendiculares representan aproximadamente 1% de los tumores malignos del intestino grueso. Más del 50% de las neoplasias primarias del apéndice se manifiestan inicialmente como apendicitis aguda. Métodos: Se reporta caso de paciente masculino que presentó adenocarcinoma invasor en biopsia de pieza quirúrgica de apéndice cecal tras apendicectomía, tomando la decisión de realizar hemicolectomía derecha laparoscópica diferida. Discusión: En este caso y como en la mayoría de los reportes de la bibliografía mundial, el adenocarcinoma simula un cuadro de AA. En un metaanálisis y una revisión sistemática de 2.771 pacientes diagnosticados de masa apendicular inflamatoria (flemón o absceso), Andersson et al. encontró 31 con tumores malignos. Estas lesiones se detectan en el 0,9% al 1,4% de las apendicectomías realizadas para tratar la AA. Conclusión: Este subtipo histológico presenta mayor incidencia de metástasis en los ganglios linfáticos y la supervivencia global era del 47,5%. Es por ello por lo que abogamos por la resección colónica como tratamiento definitivo del adenocarcinoma de apéndice cecal.

INTRODUCTION: Appendulular tumors represent approximately 1% of malignant tumors of the large intestine. More than 50% of the primary neoplasms of the appendix initially manifest as acute appendicitis. Methods: Men's patient who presented invading adenocarcinoma in Cecal Appendix Surgical Party Biopsy after appendectomy, making the decision to perform deferred laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, is reported. Discussion: In this case and as in most world literature reports, adenocarcinoma simulates an AA picture. In a meta -analysis and a systematic review of 2,771 diagnosed patients of inflammatory appendicular mass (phlegmon or abscess), Andersson et al. He found 31 with malignant tumors. These lesions are detected at 0.9% to 1.4% of appendectomies made to treat the AA. Conclusion: This histological subtype has a greater incidence of metastasis in lymph nodes and global survival was 47.5%. That is why we advocate colonic resection as a definitive treatment of cecal appendix adenocarcinoma.

Absceso intrabdominal secundario a tuberculosis intestinal en el Hospital General Dolisie de la República del Congo / Intra-abdominal abscess secondary to intestinal tuberculosis in general hospital Dolisie, Republic of Congo

La incidencia de TB intestinal es desconocida, ya que puede ser asintomática y por su naturaleza a menudo resulta en diagnósticos erróneos, por lo que se debe tener un alto índice de sospecha en poblaciones de alto riesgo. Los abscesos intrabdominales en el curso de esta es una complicación poco frecuente, con una incidencia entre 2 y 30 por ciento. Presentamos un paciente masculino de 52 años de edad, con masa abdominal en mesogástrio, asociada a dolor abdominal y pérdida de peso. Se comienza su estudio con Rx. de tórax y ecografía abdominal, el cual reporta masa de 90 x 47 mm en el peritoneo, es intervenido quirúrgicamente y drenado por absceso intrabdominal. Se diagnostica TB intestinal, su evolución fue satisfactoria después de iniciado el tratamiento antituberculoso. Ante un paciente con síntomas de abdomen agudo, es importante realizar un diagnóstico temprano de TB intestinal. Esto evitaría una intervención innecesaria, porque el diagnóstico de la TB intestinal es médico. Si se realiza la intervención, puede confirmarse el diagnóstico mediante las lesiones encontradas; acción que impediría una resección intestinal innecesaria pues el tratamiento antituberculoso resolvería la TB. Generalmente, el diagnóstico se realiza durante una cirugía o por procedimientos invasivos con otros propósitos, por ser esta de difícil diagnóstico clínico y que la irregularidad del tratamiento antituberculoso es un importante factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de complicaciones en la TB intestinal diagnosticada. Esta es altamente efectivo en la resolución de complicaciones de moderada gravedad como la obstrucción intestinal y los abscesos intrabdominales(AU)

The incidence of intestinal tuberculosis is unknown since it may be symptom-free and lead to frequent misdiagnoses, so one should highly suspect of intestinal tuberculosis in high risk populations. The intra-abdominal abscesses are rare complications, with an incidence rate of 2 to 30 percent. Here is the case of a 52 years-old male patient who had an abdominal in her mesogastrium associated to abdominal pain and weight loss. The first testing was thorax X-ray and abdominal ultrasound, which revealed the presence of a 90x74mm mass in the peritoneum. As a result, he was operated on including intrabdominal abscess drainage. The final diagnosis was intestinal tuberculosis, being the recovery satisfactory after the anti-tuberculosis treatment. It is fundamental to make emphasis on the importance of early diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis in patients with acute abdomen symptoms in risk groups since this may avoid surgical treatment. The diagnosis based on macroscopic findings in case of surgical treatment may also avoid unnecessary intestinal resections. Generally speaking, the diagnosis is made during a surgery or by invasive procedures with other purposes since the clinical diagnosis is difficult; irregular anti-tuberculosis treatment is a significant risk factor for the development of complications in diagnosed intestinal tuberculosis. It is highly effective in the resolution of moderate-severity complications such as intestinal obstruction and intra-abdominal abscesse(AU)

Manejo percutáneo de colecciones abdominales en el hospital distrital de Villa Elisa / Percutaneous treatment of abdominal collections in the district hospital of Villa Elisa

Los abscesos abdominales se definen como colecciones localizadas que presentan pus, gérmenes en el frotis o crecen en el cultivo. Estas adquieren importancia cuando se hacen sintomáticas. En el manejo actual, el drenaje percutáneo es el tratamiento de elección por múltiples ventajas, reservándose el drenaje quirúrgico para ciertos casos. Esto se debe al avance de la tecnología de los métodos auxiliares de diagnóstico por imágenes, especialmente la ecografía.Objetivo: demostrar la factibilidad del manejo percutáneo de colecciones intra-abdominales en un hospital periférico de baja complejidad y con disponibilidad de ecógrafo.Diseño: retrospectivo, longitudinal, observacional, cuantitativo, no aleatorio, con componente analítico.Pacientes y método: pacientes con diagnóstico de colección intra-abdominal de distintas etiologías, internados en el Servicio de Cirugía del Hospital Distrital de Villa Elisa, desde junio de 2014, hasta setiembre de 2015.Resultados: 5 pacientes estudiados, 60% del sexo femenino, el cuadro de presentación fue conformado por dolor abdominal, distensión, plastrón palpable y fiebre. Laboratorialmente, leucocitosis con neutrofilia. En todos se realizó el drenaje de la colección bajo pantalla ecográfica con catéteres multipropósito de 10Fr, con la técnica del trocar. Se obtuvo el éxito en el tratamiento en el 80% de los casos. Conclusión: el manejo de colecciones abdominales es factible en hospitales periféricos de baja complejidad.

Abdominal abscess are defined as localized collections of pus, germs visualizated in a frotis or grow in culture. These become important when they become symptomatic. Actually, percutaneous drainage is the gold standard, reserving the surgery approach for a few special cases. This is due to the advanced of technology, particularly the ultrasound. Objective: to demonstrate the feasibility of percutaneous management of intraabdominal collections in a peripheral low complexity hospital, with ultrasound availability. Design: retrospective, longitudinal, observational, quantitative, no randomized, with analytical component. Patients and methods: patients with diagnosis of intraabdominal collections, admitted in surgery service of the Hospital Distrital of Villa Elisa, from June of 2014 to September of 2015. Results: 5 patients studied, 60% female, with clinical of abdominal pain, distension, palpation of abdominal mass or fever. Laboratorial findings neutrophilic leukocytosis. In all cases, percutaneous drainage was made it under ultrasound view, using 10 Fr multipurpose catheter, using trocar technique. Success was possible in 80% of the cases. Conclusion: the management of abdominal collections is possible in peripheral low complexity hospitals.

Primary Aortoenteric Fistula to the Sigmoid Colon in Association with Intra-abdominal Abscess / 대한소화기학회지

Primary aortoenteric fistula (PAEF) is a rare but catastrophic cause of massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Diagnosis of PAEF is difficult to make and is frequently delayed without strong clinical suspicion. Timely surgical intervention is essential for patient's survival. We report on a case of an 86-year-old woman with no history of abdominal surgery, who presented with abdominal pain. Initially, computed tomography scan showed an intra-abdominal abscess, located anterior to the aortic bifurcation. However, she was discharged without treatment because of spontaneous improvement on a follow-up computed tomography scan, which showed a newly developed right common iliac artery aneurysm. One week later, she was readmitted due to recurrent abdominal pain. On the second day of admission, sudden onset of gastrointestinal bleeding occurred for the first time. After several endoscopic examinations, an aortoenteric fistula bleeding site was found in the sigmoid colon, and aortography showed progression of a right common iliac artery aneurysm. We finally concluded that intra-abdominal abscess induced an infected aortic aneurysm and enteric fistula to the sigmoid colon. This case demonstrated an extremely rare type of PAEF to the sigmoid colon caused by an infected abdominal aortic aneurysm, which has rarely been reported.

Abscesos profundos por Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente adquirido en la comunidad. Reporte de cuatro casos clínicos / Deep abscess methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus community-acquired. Report of four cases

El Staphylococcus aureus meticilino resistente adquirido en la comunidad (SAMR-AC) emergió en Uruguay en el año 2001 y desde ese momento se ha establecido como agente de múltiples enfermedades infecciosas de la infancia. Algunas formas clínicas de presentación más frecuentes, como las infecciones superficiales, no ofrecen habitualmente dificultades diagnósticas. Otras menos frecuentes, como los abscesos de localización profunda, son formas menos conocidas donde el diagnóstico no es sencillo y existe riesgo de tratamiento tardío lo cual contribuye a una mayor carga de morbimortalidad por este agente. En este trabajo se comunican cuatro casos clínicos de abscesos profundos por SAMR-AC, en pacientes hospitalizados en los años 2009- 2011 en el Hospital Pediátrico del Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell. Se presentan tres casos de abscesos musculares, dos de ellos retroperitoneales, y un caso de abscesos hepáticos, forma de presentación infrecuente pero típica de este agente. Se destacan en esta serie las dificultades para el diagnóstico temprano por lo inespecífico de la presentación clínica, el apoyo fundamental de la imagenología en la confirmación diagnóstica, la necesidad de tratamiento antimicrobiano prolongado y del drenaje adecuado del material colectado importante en la identificación microbiológica del agente implicado...

Abscesso esplênico: relato de caso / Splenic abscess: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O abscesso esplênico é uma doença rara, porém com um número crescente de casos publicados nos últimos anos. Geralmente, resulta de disseminação hematogênica, especialmente relacionada à endocardite, mas também pode ocorrer por contiguidade e relacionada a outros focos infecciosos.A grande maioria dos casos ocorre em pacientes imunossuprimidos. A doença é responsável por graves complicações e apresenta alto índice de mortalidade na ausência de terapêutica adequada. Oobjetivo deste estudo foi lembrar aos clínicos dessa possibilidade diagnóstica, que exige alto grau de suspeição, devido ao quadro clínico inespecífico. RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 44 anos, com quadro clínico de dor abdominal difusa, mais acentuada em flanco esquerdo com evolução de um mês e febre de 40º C com início há 5 dias. Previamente hígida, exceto por história de hipertensão arterial sistêmica, insuficiência cardíaca e prótese metálica em valva mitral. Ao exame encontrava-se em regular estado geral, desorientada,hipotensa, com depleção extracelular de 30%, afebril e eupneica. O abdômen era plano, flácido, doloroso à palpação em flanco esquerdo e hipogástrio e sem sinais de irritação peritoneal. Realizada tomografia computadorizada, que evidenciou imagem hipodensa no interior do baço. Diagnosticado abscesso esplênico,sendo tratada com esplenectomia e antibioticoterapia. CONCLUSÃO: Esse relato demonstrou que o abscesso esplênico pode ocorrer em pacientes imunocompetentes e sem outra fonte de infecção.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Splenic abscess is a rare disease, however the number of cases published in literature has increase in recent years. Generally, it appears after hematogenous dissemination, especially related with endocarditis, but can also occurby contiguity and related with other infections sites. The majorityof the cases happen in immunocompromised hosts. The disease is responsible for serious complications and has high mortality rate without appropriate treatment. The objective of this report was to remind doctors of this diagnostic, which needs a high degree of suspicion due its nonspecific clinical manifestation. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 44-years-old, with clinical symptoms of diffuse abdominal pain, more important in left flank,with one month of evolution, and 40º C fever that started withinfive days. Previously healthy, except for history of hypertension,cardiac failure and metallic prosthesis in the mitral valve. On examinationshe was in regular condition, disoriented, hypotensive, with extracellular depletion of 30%, afebrile and eupneic. The abdomen was flat, flaccid, painful to palpation in the left flank and hypogastric and without signs of peritoneal irritation. A CT scan was performed which showed a hypodense image on spleen. Diagnosed splenic abscess, the patient was treated with splenectomy and antimicrobial therapy. CONCLUSION: This report showed that splenic abscess may occurin immunocompetents patients without other source of infection.

Ruptura de absceso esplénico con peritonitis: presentación de un caso / Rupture of splenic abscess with peritonitis: a case report

Se presentó a una paciente diagnosticada en el transoperatorio como portadora de absceso esplénico roto con peritonitis consecuente. Se le realizó esplenectomía con cultivo de material purulento, lavado y drenaje de la cavidad abdominal. Se empleó antibioticoterapia de amplio espectro. El resultado del cultivo se informó como negativo. La paciente presentó favorable evolución postoperatoria. Lo inusual de esta enfermedad y su alta mortalidad debido a su diagnóstico tardío en una gran parte de los pacientes, motivó a revisar bibliografía actualizada en relación con su patogénesis, diagnóstico y terapéutica.

A patient diagnosed in the transoperative as carrier of broken splenic abscess with consequent peritonitis was presented. Splenectomy was carried out with purulent material culture, lavage and drainage of the abdominal cavity. Antibiotictherapy of wide spectrum was used. The result of the culture was informed as negative. The patient presented favorable postoperative evolution. The unusual of this disease and its high mortality due to its late diagnosis in a great part of the cases, motivated to revise up-dated bibliography in connection with its pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy.

Abscesos renales y peri-renales: análisis de 44 casos / Renal and perinephric abscesses: a series of 44 cases

Renal abscesses are infrequent event and may occasionally be fatal. In order to characterize its main clinical features, its diagnosis and evolution, a retrospective-descriptive study was done with cases identified between 1996 and 2006 in a teaching hospital. Forty-four cases were collected (mean age 49.9 years). Diabetes mellitus was present in 38.6 percent, urinary calculi in 36.4 percent, and previous urinary tract infection in 11.4 percent of the studied population. Enterobacteriaceae were the most frequent isolated microorganisms (44.4 percent), and 33.3 percent had a poli-microbial culture in abscess samples. S. aureus was rarely identified. Main therapeutic approaches were minimally invasive procedures (pigtails, percutaneous drainage or nephrostomy) in 50 percent followed by surgical interventions (nephrectomy or surgical debridement) in ~30 percent. Only 20.5 percent of patients were treated exclusively by antibiotics. Minimally invasive procedures were applied progressively after 2001 (p < 0.005). In this series case-fatality rate was 4.5 percent; 13.6 percent (n = 6) developed septic shock. Nephrectomy was performed in 9 cases (20.5 percent). Patients selected for nephrostomy had a lower risk for ICU admission (Odds Ratio 0.083 IC95 0.008-0.911). Renal abscesses are cause of morbidity but had a low case-fatality ratio; the therapeutic approach has changed in recentyears favoring at present minimally invasive procedures.

Los abscesos renales son eventos infrecuentes pero potencialmente letales. Objetivo: Conocer sus características clínicas, diagnóstico y evolución. Metodología: Se efectuó un trabajo descriptivo-retrospectivo con los casos detectados entre 1996 y el 2006 en un centro universitario. Resultados: Se identificaron 44 pacientes (edad promedio 49,9 años) asociados en algunos casos a diabetes mellitus (38,6 por ciento), litiasis urinaria (36,4 por ciento) o infección urinaria previa (11,4 por ciento). Los microorganismos más frecuentes fueron Enterobacteriaceae (44,4 por ciento) y 33,3 por ciento> de los cultivos fueron polimicrobianos. Staphylococcus aureus se identificó infrecuentemente. La estrategia terapéutica principal fue el uso de técnicas mínimamente invasoras (pigtails, drenaje percutáneo o nefrostomía; 50 por ciento), y luego quirúrgicas (nefrectomía o aseos quirúrgicos; ~30 por ciento>). Sólo 20,5 por cientoo fue tratado exclusivamente con antimicrobianos. Los procedimientos mínimamente invasores se usaron en forma progresiva después del 2001 (p < 0,005). La letalidad en esta serie fue 4,5 por ciento> (n = 2) y 13,6 por ciento (n = 6) desarrolló shock séptico. La nefrectomía se aplicó en 9 casos (20,5 por ciento). Los pacientes seleccionados para nefrostomía tuvieron menos riesgo de ingresar a UCI (Odds Ratio 0,083 IC95 0,008-0,911). Conclusiones: Los abscesos renales son causa de morbilidad mayor aunque de baja letalidad. Su estrategia terapéutica ha ido cambiando en los últimos años a favor de procedimientos mínimamente invasores como los drenajes percutáneos y/o endoscópicos.

A Case of Desmoid Tumor Presenting as Intra-abdominal Abscess / 대한소화기학회지

Desmoid tumor is a rare benign tumor derived from fibrous sheath or musculoaponeurotic structure. The tumor is benign histologically but considered as malignant clinically because it has high propensity on infiltrative growth with local invasion and tendency to recurrence after local excision. Especially, when this tumor happens to be in the intra-abdomen, the prognosis is worse because it can cause intestinal obstruction, ureter obstruction and, fistula formation. It also can invade major vessels in abdomen. This tumor occurs more frequently in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), in post-partume women, and at old surgical incision site. However, in this case, the patient had neither previous surgery nor a FAP history. We report a rare case of the young male patient who presented with an acute abdomen and underwent laparotomy and was found to have an intra-abdominal desmoid tumor with abscess formation.

Clinical Efficacy of Nonsurgical Treatment of Crohn's Disease-related Intraabdominal Abscess / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was conducted to compare the clinical efficacy between surgical and nonsurgical treatments for patients with Crohn's disease-related intraabdominal abscess. METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records was performed for patients admitted to a single institution due to Crohn's disease-related intraabdominal abscess from February, 1996 to February, 2008. Clinical outcomes were compared between surgical and nonsurgical groups in terms of treatment responses and recurrences. RESULTS: A total of 47 episodes of intraabdominal abscesses in 43 patients (12.7%) were identified from 339 patients with Crohn's disease. Of these, initially, 18 cases (38.3%) underwent surgical treatment and 29 (61.7%) were treated medically (antibiotic treatments with or without percutaneous drainage). The overall treatment response rates of surgical and nonsurgical group were 100% versus 89.7% (p=0.11) and recurrence rates were 27.8% versus 30.8% (p=1.00). Three patients in nonsurgical group (10.3%) showed no response to therapy and ultimately received surgical drainages. The median length of hospitalization in nonsurgical group was shorter than in surgical group (12 and 29.5 days, respectively. p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Nonsurgical treatment might be as effective as surgical treatment for the treatment of Crohn's disease-related intraabdominal abscess, especially considering shorter hospital stay.

Treatment for Intraabdominal Abscess in Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract availble.

Paniculitis mesentérica asociada con absceso intraabdominal / Mesenteric panniculitis with intraabdominal abcess: report of one case

La paniculitis mesentérica es una enfermedad inflamatoria del tejido adiposo del mesenterio, de presentación infrecuente y que se caracteriza, por el engrasamiento, endurecimiento y nodularidad del mismo. Se pone en consideración un caso clínico en un varón joven, con una forma de presentación poco común que requirió de laparotomía exploradora para realizar el diagnóstico y tratamiento.

We report a 28 years old obese male presenting with abdominal pain of increasing intensity lasting 15 days. In the last days, diarrhea and fever appeared. On abdominal examination a 8 cm painful mass was palpated. An abdominal ultrasound showed an anechoic mass in the epigastrium. An abdominal CAT sean showed an inflammatory mass that involves the small bowel. The patient is subjected to a percutaneous needle aspiration, obtaining 50 mi of a purulent fluid. Due to persistence of fever, the patient was operated finding an inflammation that involved the mesentery and the great omentum and covering abscess. The pathologic study of the surgical piece reported a unspecific nodular mesenteric panniculitis.

Abscesos esplénicos: Comunicación de siete casos y revisión de la literatura / Splenic abscesses: Report of seven cases

Background: Splenic abscesses are uncommon, appear in subjects with predisposing factors such as systemic infections and have high mortality rates. Aim: To report seven patients with splenic abscesses. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of medical records of patients with a splenic abscess treated between 1987 and 2005. Results: The records of four women and three males aged 20 to 74 years, were reviewed. The most common presenting symptoms were fever and abdominal pain and all had predisposing factors. Six patients had a leukocyte count of 19,500 x mm³. Mean erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C reactive protein values were 75 mm/h and 13.5 mg/dl. Diagnosis was made with ultrasound in two patients and CT scan in five. Six patients had an unique abscess and one patient had multiple lesions. A splenectomy was done in three patients as the first choice treatment and in one, due to medical treatment failure. In two patients, a CT guided percutaneous drainage was performed and one patient was subjected to medical treatment only. Abscess cultures were positive in 50 percent of patients subjected to percutaneous drainage and in 50 percent of splenectomized patients. No patient died and no complications were observed in the early or ¡ate postoperative period. Conclusion: Splenic abscesses are associated to predisposing conditions. The first choice is surgical treatment, but percutaneous drainage is also a therapeutic option.

Recent clinical overview of renal and perirenal abscesses in 56 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the recent clinical trends and antibiotic susceptibilities of the causative microorganisms in renal and perirenal abscesses, and to elucidate the factors associated with treatment strategies. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 56 patients who were diagnosed with renal and perirenal abscesses at our hospital from January 2000 to September 2007. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 53.5 years, and a female predominance of patients (75%) was observed. Diabetes mellitus (44.6%) was the most common predisposing condition. The mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 11.6 days, and fever (75%) was the most common symptom. Escherichia coli (44%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (28%) were common pathogens, and the rates of susceptibility of E. coli isolates to ampicillin, cephalothin, cefotaxime, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, and imipenem were 18.2%, 27.3%, 72.7%, 72.7%, 63.6%, 63.6%, and 100%, respectively. Abscesses were classified according to the location as follows: renal abscess (n=31, 55.4%) and perirenal abscess +/- renal abscess (n=25, 44.6%). In the renal abscess group, the infection rate of gram-negative organisms was higher than in the perirenal abscess group. Patients were also divided according to the treatment modality: antibiotics only (n=20, 35.7%) and percutaneous intervention or surgery (n=36, 64.3%). Patients who had a perirenal abscess or a large renal abscess required more invasive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed somewhat different results from those of previous studies. Clinical and microbial differences were observed between the renal and perirenal abscess groups. Abscess location and the size of the renal abscess were the factors associated with treatment strategies.

Feocromocitoma: punción y drenaje percutáneo precirugía en un caso que se presentó como absceso retroperitoneal / Percutaneous puncture and drainage previous to elective surgical resection of a pheochromocytoma presenting as a retroperitoneal abscess: Report of one case

We report a 57 year-old woman with a big partially cystic adrenal pheochromocytoma presenting with high fever and abdominal pain. Based on CT scan images and before knowing urinary catecholamines level, the diagnosis of sepsis secondary to an abscessed adrenal macrotumor was done. A diagnostic percutaneous fine-needle puncture and aspiration was done and antibiotic therapy was started. One week later an open surgical drainage and installation of percutaneous drainage tubes was carried out. Both procedures were uneventful and the patient improved dramatically. Three months later a definitive excision surgery was done. After 14 months of follow up, the patient is in excellent conditions and her abdominal CT scan is normal.

Pyomyositis: a diagnostic problem.

A case of a 45-year-old lady presenting with symptoms suggestive of pancreatitis is described. Initially the findings on Imaging were ambiguous while the enzyme studies were against the diagnosis of pancreatitis. Recurrence of symptoms and with Increased intensity prompted repeated imaging and further investigations. Finally, by a combination of CT scan, MR imaging and muscle biopsy the rare diagnosis of pyomyositis was established. The fact that this case was difficult to diagnose because of its rarity and its mimicking pencreatitis is discussed.