Pediatric Ovarian Torsion in a Medical Center in Taiwan: Case Analysis

Abdominal pain is one of the most common complaints made by patients visiting emergency departments; however, ovarian torsion is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain, especially in young children. Early diagnosis is essential in order to salvage the ovaries. We performed a retrospective analysis of p...

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Main Authors: Jun-Kai Kao, Chun-Chien Chiu, Po-Yu Wang, Meng-Kung Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2012-02-01
Series:Pediatrics and Neonatology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957211001756
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author Jun-Kai Kao
Chun-Chien Chiu
Po-Yu Wang
Meng-Kung Yu
author_facet Jun-Kai Kao
Chun-Chien Chiu
Po-Yu Wang
Meng-Kung Yu
author_sort Jun-Kai Kao
collection DOAJ
description Abdominal pain is one of the most common complaints made by patients visiting emergency departments; however, ovarian torsion is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain, especially in young children. Early diagnosis is essential in order to salvage the ovaries. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients under 18 years of age who visited Changhua Christian Hospital with adnexal torsion between June 2003 and June 2010. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for age, associated symptoms, past and present medical histories, physical findings, diagnostic tests performed, clinical course, pathological findings, and diagnoses. Results: A total of 21 patients were identified and included in the analysis; their mean (SD) age was 13.62 (3.75) years. Abdominal pain was the universal symptom. Vomiting or nausea was the second most common symptom (33.3%). The average period between symptom onset and diagnosis was 3.29 (6.39) days. Right-side adnexal torsion occurred in 14 patients, and left-side torsion in seven patients. Ovarian cysts, most often dermoid cysts (e.g., teratomas), were found in 16 patients (76%). Except for one conservatively treated case and one malignant case (adult granulose cell tumor), the other results of the pathological examination were as follows: eight dermoid cysts, two cystadenomas, one follicular cyst, and eight simple cysts. Conclusion: Although it is uncommon, adnexal torsion should be included in the differential diagnosis of lower abdominal pain in all girls, regardless of age. Sonography is helpful for making such a diagnosis. Time is a critical factor, and early laparoscopy or laparotomy may save a viable ovary.
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spelling doaj-art-89b857fa69fe46d79afdcd43e06b368e2025-08-20T03:09:48ZengElsevierPediatrics and Neonatology1875-95722012-02-01531555910.1016/j.pedneo.2011.11.011Pediatric Ovarian Torsion in a Medical Center in Taiwan: Case AnalysisJun-Kai Kao0Chun-Chien Chiu1Po-Yu Wang2Meng-Kung Yu3Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital, TaiwanDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua, TaiwanDepartment of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital, TaiwanDepartment of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital, Changhua Christian Hospital, TaiwanAbdominal pain is one of the most common complaints made by patients visiting emergency departments; however, ovarian torsion is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain, especially in young children. Early diagnosis is essential in order to salvage the ovaries. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients under 18 years of age who visited Changhua Christian Hospital with adnexal torsion between June 2003 and June 2010. Methods: Medical records were reviewed for age, associated symptoms, past and present medical histories, physical findings, diagnostic tests performed, clinical course, pathological findings, and diagnoses. Results: A total of 21 patients were identified and included in the analysis; their mean (SD) age was 13.62 (3.75) years. Abdominal pain was the universal symptom. Vomiting or nausea was the second most common symptom (33.3%). The average period between symptom onset and diagnosis was 3.29 (6.39) days. Right-side adnexal torsion occurred in 14 patients, and left-side torsion in seven patients. Ovarian cysts, most often dermoid cysts (e.g., teratomas), were found in 16 patients (76%). Except for one conservatively treated case and one malignant case (adult granulose cell tumor), the other results of the pathological examination were as follows: eight dermoid cysts, two cystadenomas, one follicular cyst, and eight simple cysts. Conclusion: Although it is uncommon, adnexal torsion should be included in the differential diagnosis of lower abdominal pain in all girls, regardless of age. Sonography is helpful for making such a diagnosis. Time is a critical factor, and early laparoscopy or laparotomy may save a viable ovary.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957211001756abdominal painchildrenovarian torsion
spellingShingle Jun-Kai Kao
Chun-Chien Chiu
Po-Yu Wang
Meng-Kung Yu
Pediatric Ovarian Torsion in a Medical Center in Taiwan: Case Analysis
Pediatrics and Neonatology
abdominal pain
children
ovarian torsion
title Pediatric Ovarian Torsion in a Medical Center in Taiwan: Case Analysis
title_full Pediatric Ovarian Torsion in a Medical Center in Taiwan: Case Analysis
title_fullStr Pediatric Ovarian Torsion in a Medical Center in Taiwan: Case Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Pediatric Ovarian Torsion in a Medical Center in Taiwan: Case Analysis
title_short Pediatric Ovarian Torsion in a Medical Center in Taiwan: Case Analysis
title_sort pediatric ovarian torsion in a medical center in taiwan case analysis
topic abdominal pain
children
ovarian torsion
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957211001756
work_keys_str_mv AT junkaikao pediatricovariantorsioninamedicalcenterintaiwancaseanalysis
AT chunchienchiu pediatricovariantorsioninamedicalcenterintaiwancaseanalysis
AT poyuwang pediatricovariantorsioninamedicalcenterintaiwancaseanalysis
AT mengkungyu pediatricovariantorsioninamedicalcenterintaiwancaseanalysis