Emergency #19 – Flash card

34-year-old female with acute onset pelvic pain for the past 3 days.

Pelvic ultrasound revealed the following findings:

What is the diagnosis?

Ovarian torsion

Differential diagnosis includes:

– Polycystic ovarian syndrome
– Massive ovarian edema
– Pelvic inflammatory syndrome

More information

The findings of unilateral enlarged ovary without (or little) arterial and venous flow are said to be diagnostic of torsion. The finding of little or no venous flow is more common than no arterial flow, so persistent flow does not exclude the diagnosis. Ancillary findings include free pelvic fluid, unusual midline location of the ovary or a twisted vascular pedicle (giving the whirlpool sign). Most cases of ovarian torsion are caused by an adnexal mass (including dermoid or other cysts), with some occurring due to ovarian hypermobility. Treatment is based on early recognition and surgery, which aims to prevent necrosis and infection. Its findings should be reported urgently to the surgeons for further care, and the radiologist has an important role in this scenario.

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