Canada: Bacterial sacroiliitis and gluteal abscess after D&C for incomplete abortion

This study reports on the case of a young woman whi presented to the emergency department with rapidly progressive left-sided lower back pain, general malaise, and chills evolving over the previous 48-hours after dilation and curettage for incomplete abortion. From Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Pyogenic infection with Streptococcus agalactiae is a potentially life-threatening disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This type of infection has seldom been reported as a complication of dilation and curettage after an incomplete abortion.

This study reports on the case of a young woman whi presented to the emergency department with rapidly progressive left-sided lower back pain, general malaise, and chills evolving over the previous 48-hours after dilation and curettage for incomplete abortion. Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated in the blood. The patient developed pelvic osteomyelitis despite aggressive medical therapy and required prolonged treatment before significant clinical improvement was noted.

The author concluded that, although very rare, serious pyogenic complications of dilation and curettage after incomplete abortion do occur and may present a diagnostic challenge.

Division of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Bacterial sacroiliitis and gluteal abscess after dilation and curettage for incomplete abortion. Yansouni CP, Ponette V, Rouleau D. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2009 Aug;114(2 Pt 2):440-3.