Severe chemical peritonitis caused by spontaneous rupture of an ovarian mature cystic teratoma: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Rupture of an ovarian cyst may cause chemical peritonitis. When an ovarian cyst ruptures spontaneously, an emergency operation is usually performed, and the chemical peritonitis is alleviated by irrigating the abdominal cavity. This appears to be the only report of prolonged chemical peritonitis.


METHODS
A spontaneously ruptured ovarian mature cystic teratoma was left untreated for >2 weeks, and chemical peritonitis lasted for 1 year. The peritonitis required administration of a synthetic adrenal corticosteroid and an immunosuppressive antimetabolite.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to perform an operation immediately when spontaneous rupture of an ovarian cyst is suspected. For therapeutic purposes, spilled ovarian cyst fluid should be eliminated as soon as possible to prevent prolonged chemical peritonitis.
Koshiba
Hisato
H
Koshiba Clinic, Kameoka, Japan. hisatokjp@yahoo.co.jp
D000963:Antimetabolites / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013724:Teratoma / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors
D000963:Antimetabolites; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents