Candida: an unexpected cause of the acute abdomen

Abstract

The infected intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) is a well-described cause of the acute abdomen. However, severe pelvic infection from Candida is an extremely rare complication of the IUCD. We present the first reported description of a Candida-infected IUCD manifesting as an acute abdomen where the degree of infection precluded a conclusive diagnostic workup and necessitated multiple laparotomies. This case highlights the importance for the clinicians to thoroughly exclude such causes of acute sepsis even after exclusion in the presenting history.