Pelvic actinomycosis associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices--a review of 6 cases.

We analysed the clinicopathologic aspects of 6 cases of pelvic actinomycosis associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices seen and treated at Mackay Memorial Hospital between 1987 and 1989. All of them had IUD for a period from 5 to 20 years. The incidence of pelvic actinomycosis among all our gynecological admission number during the same period was 0.08%. The most frequent presenting symptoms were lower abdominal pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding. An abdominal total hysterectomy with a bilateral or unilateral salpingoophorectomy was performed on all 6 cases due to a tubo-ovarian abscess or a pelvic mass. We do not find any relation between the presence of pelvic actinomycosis and the type of IUD. However, the study number was too small to make a definitive statement, but the length of time of IUD insertion is of greater significance.