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Sonographic Predictors of Ovarian Torsion in Premenarchal Girls

J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2023 Mar 19:S1083-3188(23)00310-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.03.005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To identify preoperative transabdominal sonographic predictors of surgically-confirmed ovarian torsion (OT) in premenarchal girls.

METHODS: Retrospective case-control study of 32 premenarchal girls aged 0-12 undergoing surgery for OT (cases) or a non-torsed ovarian mass (controls) from 2006-2017 at a single academic center. Cases had ICD-9/10 codes for torsion of the ovary, adnexa, ovarian pedicle, or fallopian tube and surgically-confirmed OT; controls had codes for ovarian mass or cyst and surgically-confirmed absence of OT. Preoperative transabdominal ultrasounds were analyzed by three radiologists blinded to final diagnosis. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Student’s t-test were used for statistical comparisons.

RESULTS: From 2016-2017, 32 patients presented with acute abdominal pain or symptoms concerning for ovarian mass requiring ultrasound imaging and subsequent diagnostic laparoscopy-24 (75.0%) had confirmed OT by laparoscopy; eight (25.0%) did not. Mean age in both groups was similar (7.3±2.9 years). Preoperative sonographic variables significantly associated with OT included presence of a simple cyst (20.8% vs 12.5%), ovarian heterogeneity (100% vs 12.5%), presence of peripheralized follicles (70.8% vs 0%), and asymmetry of color Doppler (75.0% vs 37.5%)-all p<0.05. Presence of free fluid, arterial color Doppler, and a whirlpool sign were not predictive of OT.

CONCLUSION: In premenarchal patients, while certain variables on transabdominal sonography predicted surgically-confirmed OT, only the presence of peripheralized follicles was unique to girls with OT. The decision to proceed with diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected OT can be aided by these specific sonographic findings but should ultimately be based on high clinical suspicion.

PMID:36944392 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpag.2023.03.005

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