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. 2019 Nov 6;7(12):2590–2591. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.2524

What you should know about emphysematous vaginitis?

Andreia Filipa Batista Tereso 1,, Joana Catarina Clemente Granadas 1, Marta Filipa Santos Baptista 1
PMCID: PMC6935618  PMID: 31893110

Abstract

Emphysematous vaginitis represents a rare and self‐limited condition, which presents with vaginal discharge. Despite its benignity, it has some worrisome imaging features, which should be recognized in order to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.

Keywords: computed tomography, emphysematous vaginitis, radiography, self‐limited condition


Emphysematous vaginitis represents a rare and self‐limited condition, which presents with vaginal discharge. Despite its benignity, it has some worrisome imaging features, which should be recognized in order to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.

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1. INTRODUCTION

A 27‐year‐old pregnant woman with preeclampsia was admitted for an emergency C‐section which complicated with hemolytic uremic syndrome. She was treated with corticotherapy and after clinical stabilization, the patient complained of vaginal bleeding. At this point, the laboratorial tests did not reveal elevated inflammation parameters. Gynecological examination was normal, but a popping sound was heard.1 The pelvic radiograph (Figure 1) revealed a radiolucent cluster of gas centered at the pubic symphysis, and the pelvic CT (Figure 2) showed multiple gas‐filled cysts in the vaginal wall at the level of the vaginal fornix and an edematous cervix.2 The diagnostic hypothesis was of emphysematous vaginitis, a rare and benign condition, that is considered to be related to Trichomonas vaginalis. The vaginal exudate was normal, so the patient did not receive any treatment.1, 2 She was discharge from the hospital, clinically stable and without any gynecological complaints.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Pelvic radiography: PA view: a radiolucent cluster of gas is seen, which is centered at the pubic symphysis, at the level of the vagina

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Pelvic computed tomography: We can see multiple gas‐filled cysts in the vaginal wall at the level of the vaginal fornix, and the edematous cervix is seen extended into the vaginal fornix

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None declared.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

AFBT: conceived the manuscript and involved in the search and elaboration of the manuscript. JCCG: involved in the elaboration and figure management of the manuscript. MFSB: conceived and revised the manuscript.

Tereso AFB, Granadas JCC, Baptista MFS. What you should know about emphysematous vaginitis? Clin Case Rep. 2019;7:2590–2591. 10.1002/ccr3.2524

REFERENCES

  • 1. Josey WE, Campbell WG Jr. Vaginitis emphysematosa: a report of four cases. J Reprod Med. 1990;35:974‐977. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2. Leder RA, Paulson EK. Vaginitis emphysematosa: CT and review of the literature. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2001;176:623‐625. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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