Ovarian abscess following therapeutic insemination

Artificial insemination is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of various forms of infertility. Infectious complications have only rarely been noted as a complication of intrauterine insemination (IUI).

In this presentation, we report the first case of an ovarian abscess following IUI with the husband's semen. Despite treatment with triple antibiotics, an oophorectomy was required. Surgical as well as pathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of an ovarian abscess. Following surgery, the patient responded well to antibiotic therapy.

Since pelvic infections are ascending processes, the violation of the natural cervical barrier with IUI can theoretically place the patient at increased risk for this complication. While few advocate routine cultures of semen samples, the clinician must be acutely alert to potential infectious morbidity following this procedure. Early diagnosis and intervention are necessary to minimize morbidity and optimize treatment.