Capsule Summary
What is already known
Spontaneous perforated pyometra can present as generalized peritonitis.
What is new in the current study
Perforated pyometra should be considered in the differential diagnosis of peritonitis, especially in elderly females who present with an acute abdomen.
An 84-year-old female was referred to emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. Her medical history included hypertension. Her abdomen was distended with involuntary guarding and rigidity. Laboratory findings indicated severe sepsis. Abdominal computed tomography revealed intraperitoneal air and a cystic mass abutting the uterus (
Fig. 1). A radiologist suspected generalized peritonitis secondary to gastrointestinal perforation. During emergency laparotomy, we identified the perforation with the necrotic area at the uterine fundus (
Fig. 2A). No gastrointestinal perforations were observed. She underwent a supra-cervical hysterectomy. A histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed pyometra with ischemic necrosis of the endometrium infiltrated with inflammatory cells and no malignancy (
Fig. 2B). She was discharged on postoperative day 18 and advised to follow-up.
Pyometra, a rare entity, involves the collection of pus in the uterine cavity. It occurs most often in postmenopausal females and may be caused by an obstruction of the cervical canal, usually secondary to malignant cervical lesions [
1]. Spontaneously perforated pyometra are difficult to diagnose clinically. Misdiagnoses are common because of its rarity and non-specific symptoms. Once ruptured, an acute abdomen often develops with symptoms. However, more than 50% of cases are asymptomatic [
2]. The most frequent preoperative diagnosis is generalized peritonitis secondary to gastrointestinal perforation. The confirmed diagnosis of spontaneously ruptured pyometra is made by laparotomy [
3]. With diffuse peritonitis, perforated pyometra should be considered in the differential diagnosis of females who present with generalized peritonitis, particularly elderly.
NOTES
-
No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.
This paper was supported by Wonkwang University in 2019.
Fig. 1.(A) Axial contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography showing intraperitoneal free air around the peri-hepatic space (white arrowheads). (B) A 7.3-cm low-density mass is observed abutting the uterus (white arrow) on the right side of the pelvic cavity; an air-fluid level is noted (black arrow). Free non-dependent air and moderate fluid collection with smooth peritoneal enhancement are noted and suggest pneumoperitoneum (black arrowheads).
Fig. 2.(A) Intraoperative view showing a defect in the anterior wall near the uterine fundus and purulent material (black arrow) exuding from the cavity. (B) Microscopic findings of pyometra. The microphotography reveals the endometrium infiltrated with numerous inflammatory cells (H&E, ×200).
REFERENCES
- 1. Chan LY, Lau TK, Wong SF, Yuen PM. Pyometra: what is its clinical significance? J Reprod Med 2001;46:952-6.
- 2. Nuamah NM, Hamaloglu E, Konan A. Spontaneous uterine perforation due to pyometra presenting as acute abdomen. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2006;92:145-6.
- 3. Mallah F, Eftekhar T, Naghavi-Behzad M. Spontaneous rupture of pyometra. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol 2013;2013:298383.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
- Spontaneous Perforated Uterine Pyometra Presenting With Abdominal Pain and Nausea
Xiu Zhang, Hao Bai, Tienan Feng
Cureus.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
