AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF PELVIC PAIN AND FEVER: PERIURETHRAL ABSCESS FROM AN INFECTED URETHRAL DIVERTICULUM

Background: The evaluation of patients with pelvic pain is a common task for emergency physicians. Accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of pelvic pain in women is often difficult given the diversity of pathology that can generate pelvic pain. Objective: To report a rare but clinically significant cause of acute pelvic pain in women. Case Report: We describe a rare case of a periurethral abscess secondary to an infected urethral diverticulum in a 41-year-old woman. She presented to our Emergency Department with pelvic pain, dysuria, and fever of 4 days duration. Conclusion: Physical examination, imaging studies, and surgery aided in confirming the diagnosis of a periurethral abscess. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc.