Ovarian Torsion

  • Etiology: twisting of ovary causing decreased arterial flow (but ovary has dual blood supply from ovarian + uterine arteries)
  • US: enlarged ovary with multiple peripheral cysts, can see arterial flow to torsed ovary in ovarian torsion
  • Clinical: large ovarian cysts / tumors are predisposing factor for torsion

Cases of Ovarian Torsion

MRI of ovarian torsion
T1 coronal (left) and T1 sagittal (right) and T2 axial (below) MRI images show a heterogeneous intraperitoneal mass that appears to have hemorrhagic and calcified components. In the operating room this mass was found to be torsed.
US and CT of ovarian dysgerminoma with torsion
Transverse and sagittal US of the pelvis (above) shows an echogenic and inhomgenous solid mass superior to the bladder. Neither ovary could be visualized. Axial CT with contrast of the abdomen shows a solid non-enhancing midline mass.