S5360 A Case of Tubo-Ovarian Abscess Requiring Lumen-Apposing Stent for Minimally Invasive Drainage

Introduction: Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a severe complication of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and gynecological surgeries. The prevalence of TOA due to in vitro fertilization (IVF) is reported to be less than 1%. Historically, surgery and image-guided drainage have been the preferred modalities of source control. However, these techniques are limited by the location of the abscess and have variable rates of clinical success. Techniques such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and lumen-apposing stent (LAMS) insertion have only been reported in 1 case report, but are a promising adjunct to surgical or image-guided procedures. We present a case of EUS-guided LAMS drainage of a complex TOA following embryo transfer during IVF. Case Description: A 44-year-old woman with a history of fibroids, abdominal myomectomy, and lysis of adhesions presented with fevers, chills, and abdominal pain and was found to have bilateral TOA 2 weeks after an embryo transfer. The left TOA was 9 cm, and the right was 13 cm. She underwent IR-guided drainage of the right and left abscesses one week apart and was discharged on antibiotics. She then presented again with lower left quadrant pain, white blood cell count 16, and tachycardia, concerning for ongoing TOA. The patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, which revealed significant adhesions with the sigmoid colon, and the washout was terminated due to the risk of bowel injury. After multiple attempts at source control, the patient underwent a rectal EUS, and a 15 mm × 10 mm LAMS was placed in a large perirectal collection with successful outflow of purulent fluid. Repeat flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed a patent LAMS with healthy granulation tissue and no ongoing purulence or sign of infection. The LAMS was removed, and follow-up imaging demonstrated resolution of the abscesses. Discussion: Bilateral TOA is an exceedingly rare complication of IVF. This patient's failed imaging-guided interventions and prolonged antibiotic courses were inadequate for source control of the TOAs, as well as a complex surgical approach that had to be terminated. This case demonstrates the versatility of EUS and other endoscopic techniques for the management of intraabdominal pathology. There is only one documented case of EUS and LAMS for a TOA, however, it diagnosed PID as the etiology. This case demonstrates how interventional gastroenterology plays a key role in a multi-disciplinary team for intra-abdominal and pelvic pathologies and should be considered in the initial management of pelvic abscesses requiring drainage.

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Publication Details

Journal
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Published
2025-10-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.14309/01.ajg.0001148900.30875.16
Primary Topic
Reproductive tract infections research
Type
article
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article

S5360 A Case of Tubo-Ovarian Abscess Requiring Lumen-Apposing Stent for Minimally Invasive Drainage

Nicholas Costable, Bishoy Gad, Sammy Ho
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Reproductive tract infections research
article

S5360 A Case of Tubo-Ovarian Abscess Requiring Lumen-Apposing Stent for Minimally Invasive Drainage

Nicholas Costable, Bishoy Gad, Sammy Ho
article en

Abstract

Introduction: Tubo-ovarian abscess (TOA) is a severe complication of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and gynecological surgeries. The prevalence of TOA due to in vitro fertilization (IVF) is reported to be less than 1%. Historically, surgery and image-guided drainage have been the preferred modalities of source control. However, these techniques are limited by the location of the abscess and have variable rates of clinical success. Techniques such as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and lumen-apposing stent (LAMS) insertion have only been reported in 1 case report, but are a promising adjunct to surgical or image-guided procedures. We present a case of EUS-guided LAMS drainage of a complex TOA following embryo transfer during IVF. Case Description: A 44-year-old woman with a history of fibroids, abdominal myomectomy, and lysis of adhesions presented with fevers, chills, and abdominal pain and was found to have bilateral TOA 2 weeks after an embryo transfer. The left TOA was 9 cm, and the right was 13 cm. She underwent IR-guided drainage of the right and left abscesses one week apart and was discharged on antibiotics. She then presented again with lower left quadrant pain, white blood cell count 16, and tachycardia, concerning for ongoing TOA. The patient underwent diagnostic laparoscopy, which revealed significant adhesions with the sigmoid colon, and the washout was terminated due to the risk of bowel injury. After multiple attempts at source control, the patient underwent a rectal EUS, and a 15 mm × 10 mm LAMS was placed in a large perirectal collection with successful outflow of purulent fluid. Repeat flexible sigmoidoscopy revealed a patent LAMS with healthy granulation tissue and no ongoing purulence or sign of infection. The LAMS was removed, and follow-up imaging demonstrated resolution of the abscesses. Discussion: Bilateral TOA is an exceedingly rare complication of IVF. This patient's failed imaging-guided interventions and prolonged antibiotic courses were inadequate for source control of the TOAs, as well as a complex surgical approach that had to be terminated. This case demonstrates the versatility of EUS and other endoscopic techniques for the management of intraabdominal pathology. There is only one documented case of EUS and LAMS for a TOA, however, it diagnosed PID as the etiology. This case demonstrates how interventional gastroenterology plays a key role in a multi-disciplinary team for intra-abdominal and pelvic pathologies and should be considered in the initial management of pelvic abscesses requiring drainage.

The American Journal of GastroenterologyVol. 120(10S2)
Openalex Percentile: Top 62%
Reproductive tract infections research
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