A spectrum of radiologic abnormalities due to tubo-ovarian abscess.

Abstract

Excretory urography and barium colon examination of 45 women with tubo-ovarian abscess revealed that pelvic masses could be delineated in most patients and secondary ureteral obstruction was common. Medial deviation of the pelvic ureter, noted in several cases, is rarely produced by any other type of pelvic mass. In most of the 32 patients who had barium colon examinations, serrated constriction of the sigmoid colon was noted. Extraluminal pelvic gas collections and fistula into an abscess were less frequently noted diagnostic signs. Many cases of tubo-ovarian abscess, often previously unsuspected, can be diagnosed by the combined findings of excretory urography and barium colon examination.