A tubo-ovarian abscess is a pocket of pus that forms during an infection in a fallopian tube and ovary. This condition is most often caused by infection or inflammation in the reproductive tract (pelvic inflammatory disease).
A tubo-ovarian abscess is usually diagnosed based on a physical exam and pelvic ultrasound. Some abscesses are found during surgical exploration of the abdomen.
Antibiotics are the first-line treatment for a tubo-ovarian abscess. Very large abscesses or abscesses that do not go away after antibiotic treatment can be drained. Draining may be done with a large needle guided by ultrasound or by surgically cutting into the abscess. Sometimes the infected tube and ovary also have to be surgically removed.