This clinical presentation is highly suggestive of chronic pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), especially given the left lower quadrant pain and dyspareunia with a normal pelvic ultrasound. PID is often caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which may not be evident on imaging.
Toronto Notes 2023 – Gynecology:
“Cervical swabs for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis are essential in the workup of suspected PID or cervicitis, even when imaging is normal. Dyspareunia and chronic pelvic pain with normal imaging should prompt testing for STIs.”
MCCQE1 Objectives (Obstetrics & Gynecology > 82-6: Pelvic Pain):
“Candidates must consider and investigate for infectious causes of pelvic pain, including PID, which requires cervical swab testing as an essential first-line investigation.”
Laparoscopy (A) is invasive and reserved for uncertain or refractory cases. Hysterosalpingography (C) is used in infertility workups, not acute pain. Endometrial biopsy (D) and MRI (E) are not first-line.
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