Tubo-ovarian abscess
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Tubo-ovarian abscess
A tubo-ovarian abscess is a pocket of pus that forms during an infection in a fallopian tube and ovary. This condition most commonly occurs in women who have infection or inflammation in the reproductive tract (pelvic inflammatory disease).
A tubo-ovarian abscess is usually diagnosed based on a physical exam or pelvic ultrasound. Some abscesses are found during surgical exploration of the abdomen.
Antibiotics are the first-line treatment for a tubo-ovarian abscess. Very large abscesses or abscesses that do not go away after antibiotic treatment can be drained. Draining may be done with a large needle guided by ultrasound or by surgically cutting into the abscess. Sometimes the infected tube and ovary also have to be surgically removed.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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