Health Information
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Tubo-Ovarian Abscess
Topic Overview
A pocket of pus that forms during an infection of a fallopian tube and ovary is called a tubo-ovarian abscess. Tubo-ovarian abscesses can develop in women who have Reference pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Opens New Window.
A tubo-ovarian abscess is usually diagnosed by physical exam or pelvic ultrasound. Some abscesses are found by surgical exploration of the abdomen (Reference laparoscopy Opens New Window or Reference laparotomy Opens New Window).
These abscesses are usually treated with antibiotics. Very large abscesses or abscesses that do not go away after antibiotic treatment may have to be drained. Draining may be done by using a large needle. The needle is guided by ultrasound or by cutting into the abscess during laparoscopy or laparotomy. Sometimes the infected tube and ovary also have to be removed surgically.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference October 30, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Reference Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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