Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Tubo-Ovarian Abscess A pocket of
pus that forms during an infection of a fallopian tube and ovary
is called a tubo-ovarian abscess. Tubo-ovarian abscesses can
develop in women who have Reference pelvic inflammatory disease
(PID) Opens New Window. A tubo-ovarian abscess is usually
diagnosed by physical exam or pelvic ultrasound. Some abscesses
are found by surgical exploration of the abdomen (Reference
laparoscopy Opens New Window or Reference laparotomy Opens New
Window). These abscesses are usually treated with antibiotics.
Very large abscesses or abscesses that do not go away after
antibiotic treatment may have to be drained. Draining may be
done by using a large needle. The needle is guided by ultrasound
or by cutting into the abscess during laparoscopy or laparotomy.
Sometimes the infected tube and ovary also have to be removed
surgically. |By:||Reference Healthwise Staff||Last Revised:
Reference October 30, 2012| |Medical Review:||Reference Sarah
Marshall, MD - Family Medicin