Abstract
Background: Tubo-ovarian abscess is a serious complication of pelvic inflammatory
disease, with a high associated morbidity. Although tubo-ovarian abscess is not a
rare entity, its diagnosis presents multiple challenges. Prior literature has suggested
that pelvic ultrasound is now the “gold standard” in the diagnosis of tubo-ovarian
abscess. Objective: Given the increasing use of ultrasound in the emergency department,
it is important to understand the diagnostic value of transvaginal ultrasound in ruling
in and ruling out important gynecologic emergencies. Our objective is to review the
literature to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in the diagnosis
of tubo-ovarian abscess. Case Report: We review a case of a 31-year-old woman with
frank peritonitis caused by a tubo-ovarian abscess diagnosed by contrast-enhanced
computed tomography after an initial negative transvaginal ultrasound. Conclusion:
We found evidence for lower sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for the diagnosis
of tubo-ovarian abscess than generally reported in the emergency medicine literature.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 13, 2010
Accepted:
February 19,
2010
Received in revised form:
December 11,
2009
Received:
August 13,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
