Tubo-ovarian abscess: Difference between revisions

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{{SI}}
{{Infobox medical condition
| name            = Tubo-ovarian abscess
| image          = [[File:Sites_of_tubo_ovarian_abscess.PNG|left|thumb|Diagram showing sites of tubo-ovarian abscess]]
| caption        = Sites of tubo-ovarian abscess
| field          = [[Gynecology]]
| synonyms        = TOA
| symptoms        = [[Pelvic pain]], [[fever]], [[vaginal discharge]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]]
| complications  = [[Sepsis]], [[infertility]], [[chronic pelvic pain]]
| onset          = Sudden or gradual
| duration        = Varies
| causes          = [[Pelvic inflammatory disease]], [[sexually transmitted infections]]
| risks          = [[Multiple sexual partners]], [[intrauterine device]] use, [[previous pelvic inflammatory disease]]
| diagnosis      = [[Pelvic ultrasound]], [[CT scan]], [[MRI]], [[laparoscopy]]
| differential    = [[Ectopic pregnancy]], [[appendicitis]], [[ovarian torsion]]
| treatment      = [[Antibiotics]], [[surgery]]
| medication      = [[Cefoxitin]], [[doxycycline]], [[metronidazole]]
| prognosis      = Good with treatment, risk of complications if untreated
| frequency      = Common in reproductive-age women
}}
{{Short description|A collection of pus in the fallopian tube and ovary}}
{{Short description|A collection of pus in the fallopian tube and ovary}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
[[File:BacteroidesFragilis_Gram.jpg|Bacteroides fragilis under Gram stain|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:Wikidata_link.PNG|Tubo-ovarian abscess|thumb|left]]
== Tubo-ovarian abscess ==
A '''tubo-ovarian abscess''' (TOA) is a type of [[pelvic inflammatory disease]] (PID) characterized by a collection of pus that involves a [[fallopian tube]] and [[ovary]]. It is a serious condition that can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly.
A '''tubo-ovarian abscess''' (TOA) is a type of [[pelvic inflammatory disease]] (PID) characterized by a collection of pus that involves a [[fallopian tube]] and [[ovary]]. It is a serious condition that can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly.
== Causes ==
== Causes ==
Tubo-ovarian abscesses are often caused by [[bacterial infection]]s. The most common bacteria involved are those associated with [[sexually transmitted infections]] (STIs), such as ''[[Neisseria gonorrhoeae]]'' and ''[[Chlamydia trachomatis]]''. Other bacteria, including anaerobic bacteria like ''[[Bacteroides fragilis]]'', can also be involved.
Tubo-ovarian abscesses are often caused by [[bacterial infection]]s. The most common bacteria involved are those associated with [[sexually transmitted infections]] (STIs), such as ''[[Neisseria gonorrhoeae]]'' and ''[[Chlamydia trachomatis]]''. Other bacteria, including anaerobic bacteria like ''[[Bacteroides fragilis]]'', can also be involved.
 
[[File:BacteroidesFragilis_Gram.jpg|left|thumb|''Bacteroides fragilis'', a common anaerobic bacterium involved in TOA]]
[[File:BacteroidesFragilis_Gram.jpg|thumb|right|''Bacteroides fragilis'', a common anaerobic bacterium involved in TOA]]
 
== Symptoms ==
== Symptoms ==
The symptoms of a tubo-ovarian abscess can include severe [[pelvic pain]], [[fever]], [[vaginal discharge]], and [[nausea]]. Some women may also experience [[irregular menstrual bleeding]] or [[pain during intercourse]].
The symptoms of a tubo-ovarian abscess can include severe [[pelvic pain]], [[fever]], [[vaginal discharge]], and [[nausea]]. Some women may also experience [[irregular menstrual bleeding]] or [[pain during intercourse]].
== Diagnosis ==
== Diagnosis ==
Diagnosis of a tubo-ovarian abscess typically involves a combination of [[clinical examination]], [[ultrasound imaging]], and sometimes [[CT scan]]s or [[MRI]]. Blood tests may show elevated [[white blood cell count]]s and markers of inflammation.
Diagnosis of a tubo-ovarian abscess typically involves a combination of [[clinical examination]], [[ultrasound imaging]], and sometimes [[CT scan]]s or [[MRI]]. Blood tests may show elevated [[white blood cell count]]s and markers of inflammation.
 
[[File:Sites_of_tubo_ovarian_abscess.PNG|left|thumb|Diagram showing sites of tubo-ovarian abscess]]
[[File:Sites_of_tubo_ovarian_abscess.PNG|thumb|right|Diagram showing sites of tubo-ovarian abscess]]
 
== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
Treatment usually involves [[antibiotic therapy]] to address the underlying infection. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to drain the abscess. This can be done through [[laparoscopy]] or [[laparotomy]].
Treatment usually involves [[antibiotic therapy]] to address the underlying infection. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to drain the abscess. This can be done through [[laparoscopy]] or [[laparotomy]].
== Complications ==
== Complications ==
If left untreated, a tubo-ovarian abscess can lead to serious complications such as [[sepsis]], [[infertility]], or [[chronic pelvic pain]]. It is crucial to seek medical attention if symptoms suggestive of TOA occur.
If left untreated, a tubo-ovarian abscess can lead to serious complications such as [[sepsis]], [[infertility]], or [[chronic pelvic pain]]. It is crucial to seek medical attention if symptoms suggestive of TOA occur.
== Prevention ==
== Prevention ==
Preventive measures include practicing safe sex, regular screening for STIs, and prompt treatment of any pelvic infections to prevent progression to TOA.
Preventive measures include practicing safe sex, regular screening for STIs, and prompt treatment of any pelvic infections to prevent progression to TOA.
 
== See also ==
== Related pages ==
* [[Pelvic inflammatory disease]]
* [[Pelvic inflammatory disease]]
* [[Ovarian cyst]]
* [[Ovarian cyst]]
* [[Endometriosis]]
* [[Endometriosis]]
== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q210000 Wikidata entry for Tubo-ovarian abscess]
[[File:Wikidata_link.PNG|thumb|right|Wikidata link for Tubo-ovarian abscess]]
[[Category:Gynecological diseases]]
[[Category:Gynecological diseases]]
[[Category:Inflammatory diseases of female pelvic organs]]
[[Category:Inflammatory diseases of female pelvic organs]]
<gallery>
File:Sites_of_tubo_ovarian_abscess.PNG|Sites of tubo-ovarian abscess
File:BacteroidesFragilis_Gram.jpg|Bacteroides fragilis under Gram stain
File:Wikidata_link.PNG|Tubo-ovarian abscess
</gallery>

Latest revision as of 00:13, 10 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

Tubo-ovarian abscess
Diagram showing sites of tubo-ovarian abscess
Synonyms TOA
Pronounce N/A
Specialty N/A
Symptoms Pelvic pain, fever, vaginal discharge, nausea, vomiting
Complications Sepsis, infertility, chronic pelvic pain
Onset Sudden or gradual
Duration Varies
Types N/A
Causes Pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted infections
Risks Multiple sexual partners, intrauterine device use, previous pelvic inflammatory disease
Diagnosis Pelvic ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, laparoscopy
Differential diagnosis Ectopic pregnancy, appendicitis, ovarian torsion
Prevention N/A
Treatment Antibiotics, surgery
Medication Cefoxitin, doxycycline, metronidazole
Prognosis Good with treatment, risk of complications if untreated
Frequency Common in reproductive-age women
Deaths N/A


A collection of pus in the fallopian tube and ovary


Bacteroides fragilis under Gram stain
Tubo-ovarian abscess

A tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a type of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) characterized by a collection of pus that involves a fallopian tube and ovary. It is a serious condition that can lead to severe complications if not treated promptly.

Causes[edit]

Tubo-ovarian abscesses are often caused by bacterial infections. The most common bacteria involved are those associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Other bacteria, including anaerobic bacteria like Bacteroides fragilis, can also be involved.

Bacteroides fragilis, a common anaerobic bacterium involved in TOA

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms of a tubo-ovarian abscess can include severe pelvic pain, fever, vaginal discharge, and nausea. Some women may also experience irregular menstrual bleeding or pain during intercourse.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of a tubo-ovarian abscess typically involves a combination of clinical examination, ultrasound imaging, and sometimes CT scans or MRI. Blood tests may show elevated white blood cell counts and markers of inflammation.

Diagram showing sites of tubo-ovarian abscess

Treatment[edit]

Treatment usually involves antibiotic therapy to address the underlying infection. In some cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to drain the abscess. This can be done through laparoscopy or laparotomy.

Complications[edit]

If left untreated, a tubo-ovarian abscess can lead to serious complications such as sepsis, infertility, or chronic pelvic pain. It is crucial to seek medical attention if symptoms suggestive of TOA occur.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures include practicing safe sex, regular screening for STIs, and prompt treatment of any pelvic infections to prevent progression to TOA.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

<references group="" responsive="1"></references>