PID Flashcards
What is PID?
An acute infection that ascends from the vagina and cervix and includes the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries
What is Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome?
Infection and inflammation that can spread to the abdomen including perihepatic structures
PID causes this most cases
What agents most commonly caused PID
Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhea
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED
Who is at risk of PID?
High risk patients include
women younger than 25 years old who have multiple sex partners, Do not use contraception, and live in areas with a high prevalence of STDs
What is the greatest risk factor of PID?
Prior history of PID
What is the first stage of PID?
Localized
Acquisition of vaginal, or cervical infection, like gonorrhea or chlamydia
Often sexually transmitted, and may be asymptomatic
What is the second stage of PID?
Spreads to other areas
Direct assent of microorganisms from the vagina or cervix to the upper genital tract with infection and inflammation of those structures
What is the spread of infection facilitated by in PID
The spillage of purulent material from the fallopian tubes because they’re hollow
Or via lymphatic spread, which can lead to acute peritonitis and acute perihepatitis (F-H-C)
Is PID common in pregnancies?
Rare because the mucous plug acts as a barrier between the uterus and bacteria
Infection can still occur in the 12 weeks of gestation because the mucous plug has not formed, and it can travel
Fetal loss may result
What other organisms cause inflammation in PID
Anaerobes and other bacteria
Risk factors for PID
Multiple sex partners
History of prior STDs
Age less than 25 years old
Young age at first sex
Non-barrier contraception
Sex during menses
Vaginal douching (excessive)
Bacterial Vaginosis (low unless untreated for months)
What can decrease the risk of PID?
Barrier protection decreases the risk of acquiring most STDs
Oral contraceptives mag decrease the risk of symptomatic PID by increasing cervical mucus viscosity, but this is not proven
Current IUD’s carry a much lower risk of PID than older IUDs- the most significant risk is within the first month after insertion
What are the signs and symptoms of PID?
Lower abdominal pain- usually bilateral and worsened during sex or with sudden movement
Abnormal uterine bleeding occurs in 1/3 or more of patients with PID
New vaginal discharge, urethritis, proctitis, fever, and chills can be associated signs
What are the physical exam findings in a patient with PID?
Vitals- only about half of patients have a fever
Abdomen - diffuse lower abdominal tenderness, rebound tenderness, and decreased bowel sounds
Pelvic- purulent endocervical discharge and or cervical motion tenderness and adnexal tenderness
Need to have a high index of suspicion
Differential diagnosis of PID
Ectopic pregnancy
ovarian torsion
Appendicitis
Cervicitis
Urinary tract infection
Endometriosis
Adnexal tumors or ovarian cysts
Where is adnexal tenderness usually located for PID
On the side of inflammation
Bilateral adnexal tenderness is very rare
Suggested lab tests for PID
Pregnancy test
CBC
Urinalysis
Microscopic exam of vaginal discharge
Nucleic acid amplification tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia
C- reactive-protein
HIV testing syphilis testing
What three are necessary criteria for diagnosis of PID?
Lower abdominal pain or pelvic pain
Adnexal tenderness
Cervical motion tenderness
Additional criteria to support diagnosis of PID
Temperature over 101
Abnormal cervical or vaginal mucopurulent discharge
WBC over 10,000
Elevated ESR or CRP
Laboratory evidence of cervical infection with gonorrhea or chlamydia via culture or DNA probe**
Imaging that shows thickened fluid filled tubes/Oviducts with or without free pelvic fluid or tuboovarian complex
What will you see on an ultrasound of PID?
Bulky uterus with fluid distended endometrial cavity- endometrium appears thickened and hyperechoic
Cogwheel sign - refers to thickening loops of the fallopian tube seen on cross-section
What do you need to do to make a definitive diagnosis of PID?
Perform a laparoscopy