Ovarian cyst torsion in a pre-menopausal woman causing intestinal obstruction: a case report

Abstract

Intestinal obstruction due to adnexal torsion is a rare complication that can be occurred during torsion of an ovarian cyst. A premenopausal woman presented to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and obstipation for 2 days. An abdominal radiograph showed signs of large bowel partial obstruction. Hence admission to the surgical department was ordered. Due to deterioration of the patient, a gynaecological evaluation took place. Ultrasonography demonstrated a large ovarian cyst, which was also confirmed by an abdominal computed tomography scan and thus immediate laparotomy was decided. Abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed due to torsion of a giant ovarian cyst, which caused intestinal obstruction by compression. The post-operative course of the patient was uneventful. Ovarian torsion should not be eliminated from differential diagnosis when it comes to female patients with clinical presentation relevant to small and/or large bowel obstruction.