Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Tubo-ovarian abscess: Diagnosis, medical and surgical management

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Comprehensive Therapy

Abstract

Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA), a serious manifestation of pelvic inflammatory disease, has been treated with aggressive surgical therapy. With improvements in antibiotic therapy, laparoscopic surgery and interventional radiological techniques have lessend the need for radical surgical treatment in stable patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Walker CE, Landers DV. Pelvic abscesess: New trends in the management of tuboovarian abscesses. Obstet Gynecol Surgey. 1991; 46: 615–24.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Soper DE. Pelvic inflammatory disease. Infect Dis clin N Am 1994; 8: 821–40.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Wiesenfild HC, Sweet RL. Progress in the management of tuboovarian abscensses. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1993; 138: 433–44.

    Google Scholar 

  4. McNeeley SG, Hendrix SL, Mazzoni MM, Kmak DC, Ransom SB. Medically sound, cost effective treatment for pelvic inflammatory disease and tuboovarian abscess. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1998; 178: 1272–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Reed SD, Landers DV, Sweet RL. Antibiotic treatment of tuboovarian abscess: Comparison of broad-spectrum β-lactam agents versus clindamycin-containing regimens. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1991; 164: 1556–61.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Ginsburg D, Stern J, Hamod K, et al Tubo-ovarian abscess: A retrospective review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1980; 138: 1055–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Roberts W, Dockery JL. Management of tubo-ovarian abscess due to pelvic inflammatory disease. S Med J. 1984; 77: 860–3.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lavy G, Hilsenrath R. Management of tubo-ovarian abscess. Infert Repro Clin N Am. 1992; 3: 821–5.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Clarke JR, Moore-Hines S. A study of tubo-ovarian abscess at Howard University Hospital. J Natl Med Assoc. 1979; 71: 1109–16.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Mickel A, Sellman AH. Management of tubo-ovarian abscess. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1969; 12: 252–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Benigno BB. Medical and surgical management of the pelvic abscess. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1981; 24: 1187–97.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Pedowitz P, Bloomfield RD. Ruptured adnexal abscess (tubo-ovarian) with generalized peritonitis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1964; 88: 721–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Golde SH, Israel R, Ledger WJ. Unilateral tubo-ovarian abscess: A distinct entity. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1977; 127: 807–10.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Burnhill MS. Syndrome of progressive endometritis associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices. Adv Planned Parent. 1973; 8: 144–52.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Burkman R, Schlesselman S McCaffrey L, Gupta PK, Spence M. The relationship of genital tract actinomycetes and the development of pelvic inflammatory disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1982; 143: 585–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Goverts I, Devreker F, Delbaere A, Revelard P, Englert Y. Short term medical complications of 1500 oocyte retrievals for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Eur J Obstet Reprod Biol. 1998; 77: 239–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Ward ME, Watt PJ, Robertson JN. The human fallopian tube: A laboratory model for gonococcal infection. J Infect Dis. 1974; 129: 650–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Gregg CR, Melly MA, McGee ZA. Gonococcal mucopolysaccharide: A toxin for human fallopian tube, mucosa. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1980; 138: 981–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. McNamara MT, Meed PB. Diagnosis and management of the pelvic abscess. J Reprod Med. 1976; 17: 299–304.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Bulas DI, Ahlstrom PA, Sivit CT et al. Pelvic inflammatory disease in the adolescent: Comparison of transabdominal and transvaginal sonographic evaluation. Radiology. 1992; 183: 435–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Casola G, Van Sonnenberg E, D'Agostino HB. Percutaneous drainage of tubo-ovarian abscess. Radiology. 1992; 182: 399–402.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Ellis JH, Francis IR, Rhodes M, et al. CT findings in tuboovarian abscess. J Comput Tomography. 1991; 15: 589–92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Moir C, Robins RE. Role of ultrasound, gallium scanning and computed tomography in the diagnosis of intraabdominal abscess. Am J Surg. 1982; 143: 582–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Teisala K, Heininen PK, Punnonen C. Transvaginal ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of tubo-ovarian abscess. Br J Obstet Gynecol. 1990; 97: 178–80.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Fabiszewski WL, Sumkin JH, Johns LM. Contemporary radiological percutaneous abscess drainage in the pelvis. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 1993; 36: 445–56.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Tyrrell RT, Murphy FB, Bernadino ME. Tubo-ovarian abscesses: CT guided percutaneous drainage. Radiology. 1990; 175: 87–9.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Outwater EK, Dunton CJ. Imaging of the ovary and the adnexa: Clinical issues and applications of MR imaging. Radiology. 1995; 194: 1–18.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Henry-Suchet J, Soler A, Loffredo V. Laparoscopic treatment of tubo-ovarian abscess. J Reprod Med. 1984; 29: 579–82.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Henry-Suchet J. Laparoscopic treatment of tubo-ovarian abscess: Thirty years' experience. J Am Gynecol Laparosc. 2002; 9: 235–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Yang CC, Chen P, Tseng JY, Wang PH. Advantages of open laparoscopic surgery over exploratory laporotomy in patients with tubo-ovarian abscess. J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc. 2002; 9: 327–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Reich H, McGlynn F. Laparoscopic treatment of tuboovarian and pelvic abscesses. J Reprod Med. 1987; 32: 747–52.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Kaplan AL, Jacobs WM, Ehresman JB. Aggressive management of pelvic abscess. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1967; 98: 482–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Landers DV, Sweet RL. Tubo-ovarian abscess: Contemporary approach to management. Rev Infect Dis. 1983; 5 (Suppl): 876–84.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Worthen NJ, Gunning JE. Percutaneous drainage of pelvic abscesses: Management of tubo-ovarian abscess. J Ultrasound Med. 1986; 5: 551–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Simon GL, Richmond DM, Tally FP, Barza M, Gorbach SL. Penetration of clindamycin into experimental infections with Bacterioides fragilis. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1981; 8: 59–64.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Gall SA, Kohan AP, Ayers OM. Intravenous metronidazole or clindamycin with tobramycin for therapy of pelvic infections. Obstet Gynecol. 1981; 57: 51–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Robbie MO, Sweet RL. Metronidazole use in obstetrics and gynecology: A review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1983; 145: 865–81.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Rivlin ME, Hunt JA. Ruptured tubo-ovarian abscess: Is hysterectomy necessary? Obstet Gynecol. 1977; 50 (S): 518–22.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Rivlin ME, Golan A, Darling MR. Diffuse peritoneal sepsis associated with colpotomy drainage of pelvic abscess. J Reprod Med. 1982; 27: 406–10.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Rivlin ME. Clinical Outcome following vaginal drainage of pelvic abscess. Obstet Gynecol. 1983; 61: 169–73.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Rubenstein PR, Mishell DR, Ledger WJ. Colpotomy drainage of pelvic abscess. Obstet Gynecol. 1976; 48: 142–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Grant Medical Center. Travis AFB, 101 Bodin Circle, 94535-1800, CA, USA

    Thomas C. Krivak MD

  2. Third Year Resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Grant Medical Center Travis AFB, Calif

    Christie Cooksey MD

  3. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wilford Hall Medical Center Lackland AFB, Texas

    Anthony M. Propst MD (Chief of the)

Authors
  1. Thomas C. Krivak MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Christie Cooksey MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anthony M. Propst MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors have stated that they do not have a significant financial interest or other relationship with any product manufacturer or provider of services discussed in this article. The authors also do not discuss the use of off-label products, which includes unlabeled unapproved, or investigative products or devices.

About this article

Cite this article

Krivak, T.C., Cooksey, C. & Propst, A.M. Tubo-ovarian abscess: Diagnosis, medical and surgical management. Compr Ther 30, 93–100 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12019-004-0003-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12019-004-0003-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation