Tubo-Ovarian Abscess (TOA)
It is a recognized and serious complication of
untreated pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
It most commonly affects
women of reproductive age.
TOA is defined as an inflammatory mass involving the tube
and/or
ovary characterized by the
presence of pus.
The most common cause is ascending/upper genital tract infection when
purulent
material can discharge
through the tube directly into the peritoneal cavity causing initial PID and progression to form
a TOA.2 The infection
can occasionally involve other adjacent organs such as the bowel and bladder.
TOA
carries high
morbidity and can be
life-threatening
Symptoms of Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA)
Symptoms and signs of PID
and/or a
TOA include some or all of the following
- Adnexal tenderness (bilateral or unilateral)
- Cervical excitation
- Pyrexia
- Abnormal cervical or vaginal discharge
- Elevated white cell count
