Ruptured tuboovarian abscess causing peritonitis in a postmenopausal woman. A difficult diagnosis on imaging.
Pelvic inflammatory disease with tuboovarian abscess is rare in postmenopausal women. Clinical and sonographic findings are usually sufficient to recognize pelvic inflammatory disease in premenopausal women, but in the elderly the disease may easily be overlooked, largely by unexpectedness. Computed tomography can be helpful when the clinical and sonographic findings are complex or equivocal. However, when the level of suspicion is low, it can be very difficult to interpret, especially when complicated with peritonitis, as illustrated in the present case report.
De Temmerman
G
G
Department of Radiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Villeirs
G M
GM
Verstraete
K L
KL
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017698:Postmenopause; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed