Korean J Obstet Gynecol.
2003 Oct;46(10):2096-2099.
A Case of Pelvic and Abdominal Actinomycosis Associated with Wearing an Intrauterine Device
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, Korea.
- 2Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, Korea.
- 3Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Konkuk University, Chungju, Korea.
Abstract
-
Actinomycosis, a rare disease entity in the upper genital tract, and caused by anaerobic bacteria, Actinomyces israelii, presents some difficulties in establishing a correct preoperative diagnosis. Pelvic actinomycosis has been reported more frequently in women with intrauterine device (IUD). Actinomycosis may be confused with malignancy and other inflammatory diseases due to its infiltrative nature and tendency to invade normal anatomic barriers. So, cervicovaginal smear is recommended for all women wearing IUDs, and actinomyosis should be suspected in such patients suffering pelvic infections. We experienced a case of pelvic and abdominal actionomycosis complicated by tuboovarian abscess in a 52 year-old woman wearing IUD and report it with a brief review of related literatures.