Spontaneous uterine perforation presenting as acute abdomen: a diagnostic challenge

Abstract

Spontaneous uterine perforation resulting in generalized peritonitis in postmenopausal women is a very rare entity usually caused by pyometra and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The clinical picture of uterine perforation secondary to pyometra are similar to hollow viscus perforation which makes preoperative diagnosis difficult. Definitive diagnosis can be made with laparotomy or laparoscopy. We report a case of 62 years old female patient who presented with acute generalized peritonitis with pneumoperitoneum having history of pigtail insertion right kidney for right non-functional kidney with gross hydronephrosis two days back, which was more complicating the clinical picture. This case report aims to alert surgeons to the possibility that uterine perforation secondary to pyometra also shows air under diaphragm apart from hollow viscus perforation.