Yoshida K, Kashima K, Koda Y, Suzuki M, Honda K and Kazama Y
Abscesses, intestinal perforations, or malignant tumors may cause gas retention in the ovary or fallopian tube. We describe a case of gas retention in the fallopian tube without any abscess or tumor on imaging. The patient was a 71-year-old woman with steroid diabetes. Follow-up computed tomography scans for other diseases showed a gas-only retention (diameter, approximately 7 cm) in the right adnexa. Magnetic resonance imaging performed later ruled out intestinal perforation or malignant tumors, but showed increased gas retention. Laparoscopic surgery revealed swelling of the right fallopian tube with gas inside, and the lesion was resected. Histological diagnosis then revealed an abscess caused by actinomycetes. This is the first report describing a fallopian tube abscess caused by actinomycetes and diagnosed by laparoscopic surgery that showed only gas retention on imaging examinations. The findings indicate the need to search for the underlying cause when gas retention is observed in the adnexa.
