Ovarian abscess 15 months after vaginal hysterectomy. A case report

Abstract

Background: Ovarian abscess is a primary infection of ovarian parenchyma. Since 1869, only 44 cases after vaginal hysterectomy have been reported in the medical literature. The pathophysiology of bacterial infection in these cases is different from the traditional ascending mechanism.

Case: A 28-year-old woman presented with complaints of lower abdominal pain and fever 15 months after transvaginal hysterectomy. Her white blood cell count was 22,700/mm3, with 90% neutrophils. Bimanual examination revealed a tender mass in the cul-de-sac, and computed tomography showed a large, multiloculated pelvic mass. Laparotomy, pathologic examination and microbiologic study confirmed the diagnosis of ovarian abscess.

Conclusion: Our case represents another rare posthysterectomy ovarian abscess. Most of these cases were managed by surgery and antibiotic treatment.