Pelvic Abscess
A pelvic abscess is formed by the collection of infected fluid in the pouch of Douglas, fallopian tube, ovary, or parametric tissue. It is a life-threatening condition. It can be present in various forms, therefore, when diagnosed, it needs to be attended to medically with immediate effect. This is regardless of the size of the abscess detected.
A pelvic abscess usually gets formed as a complication after surgery. It begins as cellulitis (bacterial skin infection) or hematoma (blood collected outside of a large blood vessel) that spreads to the parametrial tissue.
It is usually reported in women of reproductive age. It frequently presents at the advanced stages of pelvic inflammatory disease, involving pelvic organs, fallopian tube, and ovary. Its formation is less than 1 percent in patients undergoing obstetric and gynecological surgeries.
Causes of Pelvic Abscess
An infection in the lower genital tract (it includes pelvic inflammatory disease). Operative procedures such as-
- Hysterectomy
- Laparotomies
- Caesarian deliveries
- Induced abortions
- Cancer of the organs located in the pelvis
- Trauma or injury to the genital tract
- Crohn's disease
- Diverticulitis
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Intrauterine devices
- Diabetes
- Compromised immune system
Pelvic abscess in young women develops as a complication of pelvic inflammatory disease. It usually occurs in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle.
Symptoms of Pelvic Abscess
Symptoms for pelvic abscess are variable and range the wide spectrum from mild to severe as below:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Change in bowel habits
- Lower abdominal pain
- High-grade fever
- Vaginal discharge
- Retention of urine
- Vaginal bleeding
- Tachycardia
