A fatal outcome following uterine perforation and pelvic abscess after hysterosalpingography: A case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59692/jogeca.v37i3.419Keywords:
hysterosalpingography, uterine perforation, pelvic abscess, infertility, Acinetobacter baumannii, postoperative complications, mediaAbstract
Background: Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a widely used diagnostic tool in infertility evaluation. Although generally safe, it carries a rare risk of severe complications, including infections.
Case presentation: A 43-year-old gravida 1 para 1, with secondary infertility for 15 years, presented with generalized body malaise, dyspnea, easy fatiguability, progressive abdominal pain, and noticeable abdominal swelling. The patient developed a pelvic abscess secondary to uterine perforation, two weeks after HSG. Despite antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage, her condition progressively deteriorated, culminating in septicemia and death.
Conclusion: Although rare, severe complications of HSG, such as uterine perforation and pelvic abscess, can be fatal. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management are essential to improve outcomes.
Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii, media, hysterosalpingography, infertility, pelvic abscess, postoperative complications
References
Simpson WL Jr, Beitia LG, Mester J. Hysterosalpingography: a reemerging study. Radiographics. 2006;26(2):419-431. doi:10.1148/rg.262055109
Chalazonitis A, Tzovara I, Laspas F, Porfyridis P, Ptohis N, Tsimitselis G. Hysterosalpingography: technique and applications. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol. 2009;38(5):199-205. doi:10.1067/j.cpradiol.2008.02.003
Aydeniz B, Gruber IV, Schauf B, Kurek R, Meyer A, Wallwiener D. A multicenter survey of complications associated with 21,676 operative hysteroscopies. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2002;104(2):160-164. doi:10.1016/s0301-2115(02)00106-9
Uzun O, Findik S, Danaci M, Katar D, Erkan L. Pulmonary and cerebral oil embolism after hysterosalpingography with oil soluble contrast medium. Respirology. 2004;9(1):134-136. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1843.2003.00524.x
Stumpf PG, March CM. Febrile morbidity following hysterosalpingography: identification of risk factors and recommendations for prophylaxis. Fertil Steril. 1980;33(5):487-492. doi:10.1016/s0015-0282(16)44712-6
Nielsen PH. Injuries caused by hysterosalpingography. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. 1946 Jan 1;26(4):565-97
Rodgers R, Ludlow J, Gee A, Ramsay P, Benness C. Clinical case presentation: life threatening Group A sepsis secondary to HyCoSy. Australas J Ultrasound Med. 2014;17(3):131-133. doi:10.1002/j.2205-0140.2014.tb00029.x
Measday B. An analysis of the complications of hysterosalpingography. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 1960 Aug;67(4):663-7
MARSHAK RH, POOLE CS, GOLDBERGER MA. Hysterography and hysterosalpingography; an analysis of 2,500 cases with special emphasis on technique and safety of the procedure. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1950;91(2):182-192
Thadepalli H, Gorbach SL, Keith L. Anaerobic infections of the female genital tract: bacteriologic and therapeutic aspects. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1973;117(8):1034-1040. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(73)90750-3
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Esther Nyambura, khushboo Sonigra, Dr. Oscar Mwangi, Dr. Evyonne Mutabari, Dr. Kireki Omanwa

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
