pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Question 1

what is PID?

Answer 1

a term used to describe infection and inflammation of the female pelvic organs including the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and the surrounding peritoneum

Question 2

what is PID usually the result of?

Answer 2

ascending infection from the endocervix

Question 3

what are the causative organisms for PID?

Answer 3

• chlamydia trachomatis
• neisseria gonorrhoeae
• mycoplasma genitalium
• mycoplasma hominis

Question 4

what are the features of PID?

Answer 4

• lower abdo pain
• fever
• deep dyspareunia
• dysuria and menstrual irregularities may occur
• vaginal / cervical d/c
• cervical excitation

Question 5

how is PID investigated?

Answer 5

1. pregnancy test: to exclude ectopic pregnancy
2. high vaginal swab: often -ve
3. screen for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea

Question 6

how is PID managed?

Answer 6

have a low threshold for Rx

oral ofloxacin + oral metronidazole OR

IM ceftriaxone + oral doxycycline + oral metronidazole

consider IUD removal

Question 7

what are the complications of PID?

Answer 7

1. perihepatitis (Fitz-Hugh Curtis Syndrome)
2. infertility
3. chronic pelvic pain
4. ectopic pregnancy

Question 8

what is Fitz-Hugh Curtis Syndrome?

Answer 8

perihepatitis

complication of PID
occurs in 10%
characterised by RUQ pain, may be confused with cholecystitis