Comparison of ovarian torsion between pregnant and non-pregnant women at reproductive ages: sonographic and pathological findings.

Abstract

Differences in the ultrasonographic features and histological diagnosis of ovarian torsion in pregnant and non-pregnant women have not been defined. A better characterization of these features may help improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis. The present study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics, sonographic findings, operative procedures, and histological spectrum of ovarian torsion in pregnant and non-pregnant women. This was a retrospective investigation of female patients at reproductive age with ovarian torsion between January 2010 and May 2017. Each patient received a detailed preoperative ultrasound, and the diagnosis was confirmed by surgery. The clinical characteristics, ultrasonic features, operative procedures, and histological diagnosis of ovarian torsion were retrieved from medical records and were compared in non-pregnant and pregnant patients according to the method of conception. The overall preoperative ultrasonic detection rate of ovarian torsion was 0.84, which was significantly different between pregnant and non-pregnant women. The presence of ovarian edema and abnormal adnexal positions also differed between pregnant and non-pregnant women. The ultrasonic features were not significantly different between the two pregnant sub-groups. The most common histologic diagnoses in the pregnant group and the non-pregnant group were a normal ovary and teratoma, respectively. The incidence of ovarian neoplasm was significantly lower in pregnant women. There were significant differences in the surgical procedures between the groups based on neoplastic or non-neoplastic lesions. Ovarian edema, absence/decreased blood flow in the ovary, and the whirlpool sign were reliable ultrasonic markers for ovarian torsion at reproductive ages. The preoperative ultrasonic detection rate of ovarian torsion was higher in pregnant women, and ovarian edema was more common. The clinical features of ovarian torsion in pregnant women were similar, independent of the method of conception. In women with ovarian torsion, the incidence of non-neoplastic lesions was more frequent in pregnant women, whereas neoplastic lesions were more common in non-pregnant women. Ultrasonography provides useful parameters for the preclinical diagnosis of ovarian torsion to improve patient management.