Colocutaneous fistula secondary to amoebiasis

Abstract

Here we present an interesting and extremely rare case of a 66 year old male who developed a colocutaneous fistula secondary to amoebiasis. The patient presented with an acute history of right lower abdominal pain, weight loss and a palpable mass. A CT scan demonstrated a fluid filled cavity in the right iliac fossa consistent with an appendiceal abscess which was drained under radiological guidance. However, following drainage his symptoms remained requiring open surgical drainage, and a controlled caecostomy was performed due to a small caecal perforation. Despite appropriate conservative therapy he failed to progress, and developed localised sepsis in the right iliac fossa with a colocutaneous fistula, requiring a formal right hemicolectomy. The histological examination confirmed the presence of abundant trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica.We highlight the fact that in the modern age of immigration and long distance travel, it will become increasingly likely that the so-called ‘tropical’ diseases will present throughout the world. This case also highlights the need to keep an open mind in cases that do not progress as expected, and to react accordingly to any unusual developments.