Sealed-off spontaneous perforation of a pyometra diagnosed preoperatively by magnetic resonance imaging: a case report.

: Spontaneous perforation is a very rare complication of pyometra. The clinical findings of perforated pyometra usually mimic perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. In most cases a correct diagnosis can be made only by laparotomy. In our case, the patient's pyometra was sealed and she complained only of mild abdominal pain and showed no signs of peritonitis. Ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) findings were not suggestive of uterine rupture. However, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a full thickness defect of the myometrium. We discuss the CT and MRI findings that confirmed a correct diagnosis of perforated pyometra. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2010;32:697–699. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.