Puerperal adrenal abscess complicating chorioamnionitis.

BACKGROUND

An abscess in the adrenal gland is a rare finding described only a few times in the literature. We present a case report of chorioamnionitis complicated by a puerperal adrenal abscess diagnosed and drained percutaneously using ultrasound and computed tomography.

METHODS

A 22-year-old woman delivered prematurely because of chorioamnionitis. Amoxicillin clavulanate was administered, and her fever defervesced. Six days later, the patient presented with a temperature of 40C and right flank pain. Workup revealed an abscess in the right adrenal gland, which was diagnosed by computed tomography scan, and then drained percutaneously. Follow-up revealed regression of the abscess to complete recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Adrenal abscess has not been described in the past as a possible complication of choriamnionitis. It is important to assess the entire abdominal cavity by ultrasound or computed tomography in febrile patients who do not respond to medical therapy.