What causes a contorted ovary?
Sometimes, the presence of a cyst or other tissue mass in the ovary can displace it. The extra weight or mass on the ovary can cause it to start to twist and rotate around its supporting ligaments. Another common cause is an ovarian ligament, connecting the ovary to the uterus, that is longer than usual.
What happens when your ovary is twisted?
You may first experience pain in your abdomen before realizing that you have a twisted ovary. Ovarian torsion happens when your ovaries — and sometimes the fallopian tube — twist around the tissue they’re connected to. This cuts off the blood supply to your ovaries, which can cause organ damage as well as immense pain.
Can twisted ovary untwist itself?
Sometimes ovarian torsion resolves itself on its own, as it did with Philipps. This is called intermittent torsion, meaning that the torsed ovary twists back into place and then ceases twisting. However, experts say you shouldn’t wait to see if the ovary will twist back on its own.
How do you treat a twisted ovary?
How is ovarian torsion treated? Surgery is the only way to treat ovarian torsion. If there is a cyst, the doctor will first remove it, and then untwist the ovary and/or fallopian tube, which will restore proper blood flow.
How does a woman get a twisted ovary?
Ovarian torsion occurs most frequently in women during their reproductive years, but it does sometimes happen in prepubescent girls. Having a cyst on your ovary is the biggest risk factor for ovarian torsion, because a cyst can make the ovary unbalanced and cause it to twist on itself.
How do they fix a twisted ovary?
How common is a twisted ovary?
The incidence of ovarian torsion ranges from 2% to 15% in patients who have surgical treatment of adnexal masses. Ovarian tumors larger than 5 cm carry a risk of ovarian torsion. About 10%–22% of ovarian torsion occurs in pregnant women.
How common is an ovarian torsion?
How do you fix an ovarian torsion?
Emergency surgery is needed when a cyst has burst and bled into the abdomen or there is ovarian torsion. Cystectomy: This is the most common form of treatment. The cyst is removed without removing the ovary. Cystectomy can be done by laparoscopy or by making a larger incision in the abdomen (laparotomy).