• Vol. 33 No. 3, 385–388
  • 15 May 2004

A Case of Right Loin Pain: Septic Ovarian Vein Thrombosis Due to Campylobacter fetus Bacteraemia

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Septic ovarian venous thrombosis is an uncommon condition. Diagnosis is often not immediately apparent clinically and there are many that mimic this condition. We described an unusual case of septic ovarian vein thrombosis associated with Campylobacter fetus (C. fetus) bacteraemia.

Clinical Picture: A 46-year-old female presented with fever and acute right loin pain. Right ovarian venous thrombosis was demonstrated on sonography and confirmed with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. C. fetus was isolated from the blood.

Treatment and Outcome: The patient was given antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy with good response.

Conclusion: Septic ovarian vein thrombosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in female patients presenting with fever associated with lower abdominal pain. C. fetus bacteraemia also predisposes to thrombophlebitis, including septic ovarian vein thrombosis. When they are diagnosed in a timely manner and treated appropriately, the response is good and potential serious complications, including thromboembolism, and death could be averted. Radiological imaging is useful in the diagnostic work-up of this condition.


Septic ovarian venous thrombosis is an uncommon entity. Classically, it occurs as a postpartum complication with reported frequency of 1 in 600 to 2000 deliveries.

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