Symptoms of Ovarian Torsion

  Ovarian torsion often occurs when the ovarian tumor is large and is prone to occur with sudden changes in body position.  Torticollis is a common gynecologic emergency and can occur in about 10% of ovarian tumors. It occurs in tumors with long, moderately large, mobile tumors with the center of gravity shifted to one side, such as mature teratomas. It often occurs when there is a sudden change in body position or when the size and position of the uterus changes during pregnancy or puerperium. The twisted tissues of ovarian tumors consist of the pelvic funnel ligament, the intrinsic ovarian ligament and the fallopian tube. After acute torsion, intra-tumor hemorrhage is caused by intra-tumor congestion or vessel rupture due to obstruction of venous return, resulting in rapid enlargement of the tumor. If arterial blood flow is obstructed, the tumor may undergo necrosis, rupture and secondary infection. The typical symptom of torsion is the sudden onset of severe pain in one side of lower abdomen after position change, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting or even shock. Bilateral examination can reveal a painful mass, and the most obvious one is the tip. Sometimes incomplete torsion can be spontaneously reset and the abdominal pain is relieved. The principle of treatment is to perform surgery as soon as possible once the diagnosis is confirmed. The tumor and the twisted tip should be removed after clamping on the side of the twisted tip against the uterus, and the twisted tip should not be returned before clamping to prevent thrombosis from dislodging and causing embolism in vital organs.  Ovarian torsion is a common emergency abdominal condition, which is very critical and should be sent to the hospital in time.