Pelvic actinomycosis masquerading as malignancy : report of two cases and review of the literature

Pelvic actinomycosis is uncommon, presenting most frequently as an abdominal mass and simulating advanced malignancy in female patients with a past history of intrauterine contraceptive use. It responds favourably to prolonged antibiotic therapy with occasional need for abscess drainage and debridement or ureteric stenting. Incorrect diagnosis may result in overly invasive investigations and unnecessarily radical extirpative surgery.