Rectal ameboma: A new entity in the differential diagnosis of rectal cancer

Abstract

We examined the case report written by Ke et al, describing a rare clinical case. In this editorial, we would like to emphasize the differential diagnosis of rectal masses through a rare case. We describe a case of ameboma, which manifested itself as a mass in the rectum in terms of imaging and rectoscopic features, in an immunocompetent patient who had complaints of constipation and rectal bleeding for weeks. The initial diagnosis suggested malignancy due to imaging and rectoscopic features, but the pathology report reported it as amoebiasis. After ten days of metronidazole and oral amebicide (diloxanide furoate) treatment, the patient’s symptoms and radiological findings were successfully regressed.

Keywords: Ameboma; Amoebic colitis; Rectal mass; Immunocompetent patient; Imaging findings

Core Tip: Entamoeba histolytica is commonly observed in impoverished regions and can induce a mass-like manifestation known as ameboma. In populations with a low incidence of amoebiasis, there can be clinical and radiological misinterpretation between ameboma and malignancy. Ameboma frequently affects the cecum, ascending colon, and rectum. Differentiating between ameboma and colon malignancy prevents exposing the patient to unnecessary medical and surgical interventions.