A tubo-ovarian abscess is a pocket of pus that forms during an infection in a fallopian tube and ovary. This condition most commonly occurs in women who have infection or inflammation in the reproductive tract (pelvic inflammatory disease).

A tubo-ovarian abscess is usually diagnosed based on a physical exam or 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.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised	November 23, 2010