Diagnostic problems associated with intestinal amoeboma: case report

Amoeboma is an inflammatory mass of the colon. It is uncommon with most cases occurring in Latin America and South Africa. When amoeboma is the presenting symptom of amoebiasis, it poses the problem of differential diagnosis of colon cancer. This report describes the case of a 60-year-old patient who presented a painful mass in the left hypochondrium. Radiologic and endoscopic examinations depicted a ring-like stenosis of the transverse colon in association with a mesenteric reaction. The presumptive diagnosis was colon cancer and the patient was referred to the National Oncology Institute for surgical treatment. Histological examination of the surgical specimen after segmental colectomy confirmed diagnosis of intestinal amoeboma. The patient was treated medically using metronidazole. Since intestinal amoebiasis is common in our country, amoeboma must be considered as a rare but potential diagnosis in patients presenting masses of the colon. Differential diagnosis of carcinoma is necessary to avoid the risks associated with unnecessary surgery.