The intrauterine device and tubo-ovarian abscess.
During the past 4 years, 16 patients have been seen who developed a unilateral tubo-ovarian abscess while wearing, or soon after removal of, an IUD. None of the patients had gonorrhea. There appears to be a prodromal syndrome before abscess formation of 2 to 5 weeks during which the patient complains of vague lower abdominal pain, pelvic tenderness, and dyspareunia. A few patients had a rapid onset of symptoms. The device should be removed when prodromal symptoms arise and the patient should be treated with antibiotics. Should a tubo-ovarian abscess develop, surgical intervention is necessary.
D000031:Abortion, Septic / Q000209:etiology; D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology; D004717:Endometrium / Q000473:pathology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D010388:Pelvis; D011247:Pregnancy; D012488:Salpingitis / Q000209:etiology