Loculated Fluid Visualized in Hepatorenal Space with Point-of-care Ultrasound in Patient with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Caused by Group A Streptococcus: Case Report

Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2024 Nov;8(4):322-325. doi: 10.5811/cpcem.6663. Epub 2024 Aug 8.

Abstract

Introduction: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a screening and diagnostic modality frequently used in the emergency department to assess patients with abdominal pain.

Case report: We present a case describing the unusual finding of intraperitoneal fluid with loculations visualized in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen in a patient ultimately diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) with ruptured tubo-ovarian abscess caused by group A streptococcus (GAS), a pathogen rarely implicated in the disease.

Conclusion: Uncommon findings on abdominal POCUS should trigger further investigation. In a patient not responding to antibiotics administered for typical PID coverage, GAS should be considered as a possible etiology and a penicillin-based antibiotic administered to prevent progression to tubo-ovarian-abscess formation, peritonitis, and sepsis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports