Document Detail


Sonographic whirlpool sign in ovarian torsion.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15557307     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To describe an additional maneuver during sonography for ovarian torsion and to assess its diagnostic value. METHODS: During a period of about 2 years 6 months, 21 patients with acute or intermittent lower abdominal pain who had an ovarian mass and an extraovarian mass suggestive of a twisted vascular pedicle on sonography were studied. The gray scale features of the ovarian mass were recorded. The presence of a twisted vascular pedicle was evaluated. Its location and gray scale features were noted. The probe was moved to and fro along the axis of the pedicle, and the presence of a whirlpool sign was evaluated. The same procedure was repeated on a color Doppler study. RESULTS: A twisted pedicle with a whirlpool sign was seen in all 21 patients. Ovarian torsion was confirmed in all 20 patients who underwent surgery. The last patient was pregnant and did well with conservative treatment. Hemorrhagic infarction or early hemorrhage of the ovary or ovarian mass was seen in all 8 patients who did not show flow in the twisted pedicle on the color Doppler study and in 2 patients who showed flow in the artery in the proximal part of the pedicle. Of the 6 patients who showed flow in the artery alone, the ovary was removed in 4, and all had hemorrhagic infarction or early hemorrhage. The ovary was viable in all 5 patients in whom flow was seen in both the artery and vein. CONCLUSIONS: A positive whirlpool sign in the twisted vascular pedicle of the ovary is the most definitive sign of ovarian torsion. Absence of blood flow in the twisted pedicle and visualization of the flow in the artery alone are predictive of nonviability of the ovary.
Authors:
S Boopathy Vijayaraghavan
Related Documents :
15927537 - A novel method for the assessment of the accuracy of computing laminar flow stroke volu...
12973947 - Anginogenesis of eutopic and ectopic endometria in endometriosis.
18976967 - An evaluation of ureteral flow after doppler-guided uterine artery occlusion device pla...
9589707 - Color doppler imaging and plasma levels of endothelin-1 in low-tension glaucoma.
3285967 - Electron microscope study of the association between hypothalamic blood vessels and oxy...
21483617 - Effects of arterial blood gas levels on cerebral blood flow and oxygen transport.
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of ultrasound in medicine : official journal of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine     Volume:  23     ISSN:  0278-4297     ISO Abbreviation:  J Ultrasound Med     Publication Date:  2004 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2004-11-23     Completed Date:  2005-03-01     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8211547     Medline TA:  J Ultrasound Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1643-9; quiz 1650-1     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Sonoscan Ultrasonic Scan Centre, Coimbatore, India. sonoscan@vsnl.com
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Child
Cystadenoma, Serous / ultrasonography
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Ovarian Cysts / ultrasonography
Ovarian Diseases / ultrasonography*
Ovary / blood supply
Teratoma / ultrasonography
Torsion Abnormality
Ultrasonography, Doppler

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Contrast-enhanced sonography helps in discrimination of benign from malignant adnexal masses.
Next Document:  Short foot length: a diagnostic pointer for harlequin ichthyosis.