Unilateral ovarian abscess associated with the intrauterine device.

Four cases of primary ovarian abscess associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices are presented. It is proposed that both their unilaterality and the fact that they were primary in the ovary rather than tuboovarian are due to the fact that bacteria from the intrauterine device are shed continuously through the fallopian tubes, resulting in the inoculation of the corpus luteum, a unilateral structure. Removal of the ovarian abscess without additional surgical therapy is sufficient for a patient with this type of pelvic infection.