Ovarian torsion: Difference between revisions

Line 36: Line 36:
*Pelvic free fluid  
*Pelvic free fluid  
*An infarcted ovary may have a more complex appearance with cystic or hemorrhagic degeneration
*An infarcted ovary may have a more complex appearance with cystic or hemorrhagic degeneration
==CT Abd/Pelvis==
===CT Abd/Pelvis===
*CT will not diagnose torsion
*CT will not diagnose torsion
*CT may be used to r/o other possible causes of lower abdominal pain; also exclude presence of pelvic mass
*CT may be used to r/o other possible causes of lower abdominal pain; also exclude presence of pelvic mass

Revision as of 10:35, 6 November 2015

Background

  • Ovarian torsion is the rotation of the ovary and portion of the fallopian tube on the supplying vascular pedicle. It is also referred to as adnexal torsion and tubo-ovarian torsion.
  • Occurs in females of all ages (most common in reproductive age women)
  • Ovarian cysts (usually > 4cm) and neoplasms account for 94% of cases in adults.[1] However in children they are only less common in children.
  • In children hypermobility of the ovary many be the primary cause of torsion.

Pathophysiology

Torsion occurs from either of the two causes:

  1. Hypermobility of the ovary
  2. Adnexal mass
  • Cysts greater than 4cm more likely to torse[2]
  • Absence of ovarian Doppler flow is highly specific for torsion, but normal Doppler flow does not completely exclude torsion

Clinical Features

  • Nausea/vomiting (70%)
  • Sudden and sharp pain in the lower abdomen (59%)
    • can be intermittent
  • Fever (<2%)

Differential Diagnosis

RLQ Pain

LLQ Pain

Diagnosis

Although the gold standard is direct visualization in the operating room ultrasound is generally the first diagnostic test performed. The ovary can torse intermittently so high clinical suspicion is need, especially in the setting of a negative ultrasound.

Ultrasound

Findings suggestive of torsion may include:

  • Diminished or absent blood flow in the ovarian vessels[3]
  • Ovarian mass > 2.5-3 cm
  • Whirlpool sign of twisted vascular pedicle[3]
  • Enlarged ovarian volume
  • Loss of echogenicity
  • Peripherally displaced follicles with hyperechoic central stroma
  • Midline ovary
  • Pelvic free fluid
  • An infarcted ovary may have a more complex appearance with cystic or hemorrhagic degeneration

CT Abd/Pelvis

  • CT will not diagnose torsion
  • CT may be used to r/o other possible causes of lower abdominal pain; also exclude presence of pelvic mass

Treatment

  • Emergent OB/GYN consult in ED

See Also

References

  1. Amirbekian S et al. Ultrasound Evaluation of Pelvic Pain. Radiol. Clin. North Am. 2014;52 (6): 1215-1235
  2. M.L. Brandt et al. Surgical indications in antenatally diagnosed ovarian cysts J Pediatr Surg, 26 (1991), pp. 276–282
  3. 3.0 3.1 Lee EJ et-al. Diagnosis of ovarian torsion with color Doppler sonography: depiction of twisted vascular pedicle. J Ultrasound Med. 1998;17 (2): 83-9.