29 March 2012
Rare cause of acute surgical abdomen with free intraperitoneal air: Spontaneous perforated pyometra. A report of 2 cases
Siew Fung Lim, Song Liang Lee, Adrian Kah Heng Chiow, Chek Siang Foo, Andrew Siang Yih Wong, Su-Ming TanDOI: 10.12659/AJCR.882629
Am J Case Rep 2012; 13:55-57
Abstract
Background: The acute abdomen accounts for up to 40% of all emergency surgical hospital admissions and a large proportion are secondary to gastrointestinal perforation. Studies have shown the superiority of the abdominal CT over upright chest radiographs in demonstrating free intraperitoneal air. Spontaneous perforated pyometra is a rare cause of the surgical acute abdomen with free intraperitoneal air. Only 38 cases have been reported worldwide.
Case Report: We report 2 cases of spontaneously perforated pyometra in our hospital’s general surgery department. Both underwent exploratory laparotomy: one had a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, while the other had an evacuation of the uterine cavity, primary repair of uterine perforation and a peritoneal washout. A literature search was conducted and all reported cases reviewed in order to describe the clinical presentations and management of the condition. Of the 40 cases to date, including 2 of our cases, the most common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain (97.5%), fever (37.5%) and vomiting (25.0%). The main indication for exploratory laparotomy was pneumoperitoneum (97.5%).
Conclusions: Pyometra is an unusual but serious condition in elderly women presenting with an acute abdomen. A high index of suspicion is needed to make the appropriate diagnosis.
Keywords: acute abdomen, free intraperitoneal air, spontaneous perforated pyometra
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