title: Spontaneous perforation of pyometra in an elderly woman: a case report.
abstract: Pyometra is an uncommon gynecologic condition that usually develops in elderly women. Most of the cases result from cervical occlusion by malignant or benign tumors, surgery, radiotherapy, or atrophic cervicitis. A spontaneous perforation of the uterus with generalized peritonitis is an extremely rare complication of pyometra and carries significant morbidity and mortality. Establishing a correct diagnosis preoperatively is not easy due to the non-specificity of the symptoms. The authors present a case report of peritonitis caused by spontaneously perforated pyometra that was diagnosed intraoperatively. The cervical canal was not occluded and the cause of perforation remains obscure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. sipattama_c@mahidol.ac.th
authors.forename: Pattama
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chaopotong
authors.forename: Mongkol
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benjapibal
authors.forename: Manopchai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thamkhantho
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology*; D055112:Pyometra / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014463:Ultrasonography