Tubo-ovarian abscess in woman with an intrauterine device forgotten for 22 years

Abstract

We report on a case of pelvic inflammatory disease in a 53 year old woman using an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) for a time period of 22 years. Clinical symptoms were fever up to 38°C and severe abdominal pain. Endoscopic findings were a tubo-ovarian abscess of the complete pelvis and a forgotten IUD with a smear positive for Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The patient was treated with a surgical therapy and by antibiotic combination. Diagnosis was performed by histopathological examination. © Springer-Verlag 2010.