Recurrent Bilateral Salpingitis in a Sexually Inactive Adolescent: Don't Forget about the Appendix

Abstract

Background: Salpingitis is an acute inflammation of the fallopian tubes and is extremely uncommon in patients who are sexually inactive or premenarchal.

Case: We describe a 15-year-old sexually inactive patient with recurrent bilateral salpingitis. After the second episode, she underwent an exploratory laparoscopy and was diagnosed with chronic appendicitis.

Summary and conclusion: Appendicular involvement should be kept in mind in recurrent salpingitis episodes, especially if previous imaging studies do not show signs of appendicitis. Imaging studies should be repeated in experienced centers in case of recurrent episodes. Laparoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of salpingitis and can confirm appendicular or other abdominal involvement. Early diagnosis can help to prevent recurrent episodes of salpingitis and thus reduce the risk of sequelae.

Keywords: Adolescent; Appendicitis; Imaging; Laparoscopy; Recurrent salpingitis.