A Case Report Intravaginal Foregin Body Mimicking an Advanced Cervical Cancer / 대한산부인과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

An intravaginal foreign body of long duration can lead to infection and ulceration. Foul-smelling, bloody vaginal discharge, and pelvic pain may indicate the presence of an intravaginal foreign body and symptoms may be referred to the bladder or rectum. But these clinical features are nonspecific and a number of diagnostic modalities may fail to detect the presence of the foreign body. Moreover, long-standing intravaginal foreign body may be difficult to distinguish from an advanced cervical cancer especially in uninformed cases. We present a case of a 41-year-old female who suffered from an aggravating chronic pelvic pain and malodorous dirty vaginal discharge. Initially the advanced cervix cancer complicated with recto-vaginal fistula was suspected. But results of repeated biopsies were benign and symptoms were improved by intravenous antibiotics. Finally the embedded foreign body in the posterior fornix was detected and successfully removed. It was proved as the grip of an umbrella. We concluded that a high index of suspicion is very important for the correct diagnosis of long-standing vaginal foreign body especially in uninformed cases.