Management of Tubo-Ovarian Abscess

Abstract

Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a polymicrobial infectious process involving the oviducts, ovaries, and surrounding adnexal tissues, resulting in abscess formation. It is a prevalent disease, predominantly affecting women of reproductive age, with significant short-term morbidity as well as the long-term sequela of infertility. The treatment of TOAs has evolved over time as antibiotics and surgical techniques have improved. Along with the advent of image-guided abscess drainage elsewhere in the abdomen and pelvis, TOAs are now frequently addressed by the interventional radiologist rather than the surgeon. Therefore, it is important for the interventional radiologist to be familiar with the role of image-guided TOA drainage within the global scheme of TOA management, and with technical considerations specific to TOA drainage. This article will review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and management of TOAs, with particular emphasis on the technical details of performing image-guided TOA drainage.