An Interesting Presentation of Ameboma – A Case Report and Review of Literature

Amebomas are masses of granulation tissue with peripheral fibrosis and a core of inflammation related to chronic infection with Entameba histolytica which is usually found in the cecum and ascending colon. The diagnostic approach of this ileocecal mass includes ruling out other infectious and noninfectious causes before arriving at a diagnosis of ameboma. It usually manifests with lower gastrointestinal bleeding or bowel obstruction. It may mimic colon carcinoma when it occurs in elderly. Other differential diagnoses include Crohn’s disease, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, tuberculosis, fungal infection, AIDS-associated lymphoma and Kaposi’s sarcoma. The therapeutic strategy should be combined with antibiotics for invasive dysentery and eradication of luminal cysts. Surgery should be reserved as the last resort in cases of persisting sepsis, with obstruction and perforation being the other indications. Key words: Ameboma; Ileocecal Mass