Ovarian torsion
Ovarian torsion or adnexal torsion is an abnormal condition where an ovary twists on its attachment to other structures, such that blood flow is decreased. Symptoms typically include pelvic pain on one side. While classically the pain is sudden in onset, this is not always the case. Other symptoms may include nausea. Complications may include infection, bleeding, or infertility.
Risk factors include ovarian cysts, ovarian enlargement, ovarian tumors, pregnancy, fertility treatment, and prior tubal ligation. The diagnosis may be supported by an ultrasound done via the vagina or CT scan, but these do not completely rule out the diagnosis. Surgery is the most accurate method of diagnosis.
Treatment is by surgery to either untwist and fix the ovary in place or to remove it. The ovary will often recover, even if the condition has been present for some time. In those who have had a prior ovarian torsion, there is a 10% chance the other will also be affected. The diagnosis is relatively rare, affecting about 6 per 100,000 women per year. While it most commonly occurs in those of reproductive age, it can occur at any age.
Signs and symptoms
Patients with ovarian torsion often present with sudden onset of sharp and usually unilateral lower abdominal pain, in 70% of cases accompanied by nausea and vomiting.Pathophysiology
The development of an ovarian mass is related to the development of torsion. In the reproductive years, regular growth of large corpus luteal cysts are a risk factor for rotation. The mass effect of ovarian tumors is also a common cause of torsion. Torsion of the ovary usually occurs with torsion of the fallopian tube as well on their shared vascular pedicle around the broad ligament, although in rare cases the ovary rotates around the mesovarium or the fallopian tube rotates around the mesosalpinx. In 80%, torsion happens unilaterally, with slight predominance on the right. In ovarian torsion, the ovary rotates around both the infundibulopelvic ligament and the utero-ovarian ligament, disrupting blood flow to the ovary.Diagnosis
Ovarian torsion is difficult to diagnose accurately, and operation is often performed before certain diagnosis is made. A study at an obstetrics and gynaecology department found that preoperative diagnosis of ovarian torsion was confirmed in only 46% of people.Ultrasound
Gynecologic ultrasonography is the imaging modality of choice. Use of doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis has been suggested. However, doppler flow is frequently present in torsion – the definitive diagnosis is often made in the operating room.Lack of ovarian blood flow on doppler sonography seems to be a good predictor of ovarian torsion. Women with pathologically low flow are more likely to have torsion. The sensitivity and specificity of abnormal ovarian flow are 44% and 92%, respectively, with a positive and negative predictive value of 78% and 71%, respectively. Specific flow features on Doppler sonography include:
- Little or no intra-ovarian venous flow. This is commonly seen in ovarian torsion.
- Absent arterial flow. This is a less common finding in ovarian torsion
- Absent or reversed diastolic flow
Other ultrasonographic features include:
- Enlarged hypoechogenic or hyperechogenic ovary
- Peripherally displaced ovarian follicles
- Free pelvic fluid. This may be seen in more than 80% of casesWhirlpool sign of twisted vascular pedicle
- Underlying ovarian lesion can often be found
- Uterus may be slightly deviated towards the torted ovary.