Diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease: Clinical, paraclinical, imaging and laparoscopy criteria. CNGOF and SPILF Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases Guidelines

• Published in: Gynécologie, obstétrique, fertilité & sénologie Vol. 47; no. 5; p. 404
• Main Authors: Charvériat, A, Fritel, X
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; French
• Published: France 01.05.2019
• Subjects: Appendicitis; Blood Cell Count; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Laparoscopy; Leukocytosis; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - diagnosis; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - diagnostic imaging; Pelvic Pain; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography; Sensitivity; Specificity; Spécificité; Diagnostic; Sensibilité; Pelvic inflammatory disease; Infection génitale haute
• ISSN: 2468-7189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gofs.2019.03.010

The objective of this literature review is to update the recommendations for clinical practice about the diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), microbiologic diagnosis excluded. An adnexal pain or cervical motion tenderness are the signs that allow a positive diagnosis of PID (LE2). Associated signs (fever, leucorrhoea, metrorrhagia) reinforce clinical diagnosis (LE2). In a woman consulting for symptoms compatible with PID, a pelvic clinical examination is recommended (grade B). In cases of suspected PID, hyperleukocytosis associated with a high C-reactive protein suggests a complicated PID or a differential diagnosis such as acute appendicitis (LE3). The absence of hyperleukocytosis or normal CRP does not rule out the diagnosis of PID (LE1). When PID is suspected, a blood test with a blood count and a CRP test is recommended (grade C). Pelvic ultrasound scan does not contribute to the positive diagnosis of uncomplicated PID because it is insensitive and unspecific (LE3). However, ultrasound scan is recommended to look for signs of complicated PID (polymorphic collection) or differential diagnosis (grade C). Waiting for an ultrasound scan to be performed should not delay the start-up of antibiotic therapy. In case of diagnostic uncertainty, an abdominal-pelvic CT scan with contrast injection is useful for differential diagnosis of urinary, digestive or gynaecological origin (LE2). Laparoscopy is not recommended for the unique purpose of the positive diagnosis of PID (grade B).