Septic Pelvic Thrombophlebitis: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: Infectious thrombosis (thrombophlebitis) of the ovarian veins is an uncommon complication of pregnancy (delivery) or gynecologic surgery. However, the diagnosis is often difficult to establish and requires a high degree of suspicion.

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The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Septic Pelvic Thrombophlebitis are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Pre-Test Probability (Prevalence): %.	Post-Test Probability (Predictive Value): %.	Switch to display mode.
Note that calculating probabilities from more than one** finding is inherently inaccurate because findings are not independent. (For example, using two positive findings that share a common pathogenesis is likely to overestimate the true probability.)


Finding	Result	Sensitivity	Specificity
[ + ] Abdominal CT	+ 0 -	100%	100%
truth was established by a combination of MR, CT, and US Study: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997 Oct;169(4):1039-43. PMID: 9308461
[ + ] Abdominal MRI	+ 0 -	92%	100%
truth was established by a combination of US, CT, and MRI Study: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997 Oct;169(4):1039-43. PMID: 9308461
[ + ] Blood Cultures		Sensitivity = 35%
Study: Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2006;2006:15614. PMID: 17485796
[ + ] Pelvic US	+ 0 -	50%	100%
truth was established by a combination of MR, CT, and US. Sensitivity was markedly reduced for the left ovarian vein as compared to the right (obscured by overlying structures). Study: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997 Oct;169(4):1039-43. PMID: 9308461