A postmenopausal woman with pelvic inflammatory disease misdiagnosed as an ovarian tumor: A case report

Abstract

A tubo-ovarian abscess is a potential life-threatening condition. In postmenopausal women, it is rarely seen and it has fewer typical symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose.

This report concerns a postmenopausal patient who was admitted with general health decline, weight loss and ascites. At first, a malignancy of the right ovary was suspected because of the sonographic and laboratory findings. On diagnostic laparoscopy, the diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease was made, most likely caused by a Mirena intrauterine device that had been in place for 20 years.

In a postmenopausal woman a tubo-ovarian abscess should be included in differential diagnoses especially if she has an intrauterine device. Conservative treatment with antibiotics is preferred. If surgery is required, diagnostic laparoscopy is advised.