Amebic Colitis Presenting as an Obstructed Umbilical Hernia: A Report of an Unusual Presentation

Background:-Amebic Colitis (AC) is a parasitic protozoal infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica, which can result in intestinal and extraintestinal pathologies. Although the majority of E. histolytica AC cases are asymptomatic, they still carry a significant mortality rate. This report details a unique presentation of AC in an elderly patient. Case Summary:-A 60-year-old male patient with a history of umbilical hernia is presented in this report. He complained of umbilical abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The patient had recurrent fever, but other systemic reviews were unremarkable. Upon examination, his abdomen was distended, showcasing an umbilical bulge and tenderness throughout the abdomen. Laboratory findings revealed severe leukocytosis. A chest X-ray was unremarkable for pneumoperitoneum, but an abdominal X-ray showed a dilated colon. Consequently, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy for an obstructed umbilical hernia. Intraoperative exploration found an in-flamed colon with a transverse colonic mass reaching the splenic flexure. Management involved a subtotal colectomy with end-to-end anastomosis. A subsequent histopathological examination of the resected colon confirmed the diagnosis of AC. The patient was vitally stable post-operation and was discharged after 1 week. Conclusion:-In this study, we reported an unusual presentation of AC as an obstructed umbilical hernia. This highlights the diverse clinical manifestations of the disease.