Spontaneous perforation of pyometra: a case report

Spontaneous perforation is a rare complication of pyometra and is usually associated with uterine cervical occlusion. We report a very rare case of spontaneously perforated pyometra without cervical occlusion. A 56-year-old woman with severe abdominal pain was admitted to our hospital. Exploratory laparotomy was performed because of suspicion of gastro-intestinal perforation with generalized peritonitis. There was no perforation of the stomach, gallbladder, or bowels, but examination of the uterus revealed a perforation of the uterine fundus. A total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Pathological investigation of the surgical specimen revealed endometritis and myometritis of the uterus; but there was no evidence of malignancy, and the cervical canal was patent. Although spontaneously perforated pyometra is rare, the condition must be born in mind with regard to elderly women with acute abdominal pain.