PELVIC MASS AND PAIN Flashcards
What is chronic pelvic pain?
Any pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis that lasts more than 6 months
In what proportion of chronic pelvic pain cases is a laparoscopy done and found no obvious cause?
In 1/3rd of cases
How common is chronic pelvic pain?
Common
Affects 1 in 6 women
Causes of chronic pelvic pain?
Endometriosis
PID
Interstitial cystitis - bladder inflammation
Ovarian cyst
Womb or ovarian cancer
Adenomyosis
Uterine fibroids
Adhesions
Pelvic venous congestion
Trapped or damaged nerves in pelvic area
Pelvic organ prolapse
MSK pain
IBS
Depression
Traumatic experiences e.g. sexual or physical abuse
Acute causes of pelvic pain in women?
UTI
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Ovarian cyst rupture or torsion
Appendicitis
Peritonitis
Ectopic pregnancy
Miscarriage
Ovulation pain - mittelschmerz
Flare up of a chronic condition e.g. endometriosis
dysmenorrhea
What can cause pelvic adhesions?
Endometriosis
Previous surgery
Previous infection
Pelvic pain which varies markedly over the menstrual cycle is likely to be attributable to what?
A hormonal driven condition e.g. endometriosis
Investigating chronic pelvic pain?
Daily pain diary for 2-3 menstrual cycles to help identify any provoking factors or temporal associations
Abdominal and pelvic examination
Screen for infection if sexually active
TVUSS and MRI for adnexal masses, adenomyosis
Diagnostic laparoscopy is “gold standard” for diagnosing pelvic pain and can see endometriosis
CA125 if any Sx of ovarian cancer
What is mittelschmerz and when does it occur?
Transient pelvic pain in the middle of their cycle
Caused by ovulation!
How does ovarian torsion present?
Sudden onset unilateral lower abdominal pain
May coincide with exercise
N&V are common
On examination - unilateral tender adnexal mass
How might an ovarian cyst present?
Unilateral dull ache which may be intermittent or only occur during intercourse. Torsion or rupture may lead to severe abdominal pain
Large cysts may cause abdominal swelling or pressure effects on the bladder
What is ovarian torsion?
Partial or complete torsion of the ovary on its supporting ligaments that may, in turn, compromise the blood supply
What is an adnexal torsion?
When there is torsion of the ovary and the fallopian tube
Risk factors for ovarian torsion?
Having an ovarian cyst is the biggest RF!
Being of a reproductive age
Pregnancy
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Vaginal examination findings in ovarian torsion?
Adnexial tenderness
USS findings for ovarian torsion?
Free fluid or a whirlpool sign
Management and diagnosis of ovarian torsion?
Laparoscopy - fixation
If necrotic then oophorectomy
What should you do if a woman has cyclic pelvic pain?
Offer a therapeutic trial of hormonal treatment e.g. GnRH analogues for 3-6 months before a diagnostic laparoscopy
Appropriate analgesia
Link between pelvic pain and physical/sexual/emotional abuse?
There is a link to chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Dyspareunia causes?
Infections - thrush, STI
Menopausal atrophic vaginitis
Lack of sexual arousal
Vaginal dryness e.g. sjogren’s syndrome
Vaginismus
Genital irritation or allergy caused by spermicides, latex condoms, soaps etc
Bartholin’s cyst
Lichen sclerosus or lichen planus
FGM
Congenital vaginal abnormalities
Rape and sexual assault
PID
Endometriosis
Fibroids
IBS
Constipation
Bladder pain e.g. UTI or interstitial cystitis
Most common cause of pelvic pain?
Primary dysmenorrhea
What is acute pelvic pain in women of a reproductive age with a positive pregnancy test until proven otherwise?
Ectopic pregnancy