Tubo-ovarian abscesses in postmenopausal women: gynecological malignancy until proven otherwise?

Objective: To investigate the incidence of gynecological malignancy in menopausal women who develop tubo-ovarian abscesses (TOAs), and to address the differences in presentation and underlying pathology between premenopausal and postmenopausal women with TOAs.

Study Design: In a retrospective study we included 93 patients with a diagnosis of a TOA and compared a premenopausal group (group 1) with a postmenopausal group (group 2).

Results: Group 1 included 76 (82%), and group 2 17 (18%) patients.