Laparoscopic unwinding and cyst aspiration of an ovarian torsion in spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome associated with a singleton pregnancy

Adnexal torsion in pregnancy: A systematic review of case reports and case series

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate clinical presentations, surgical procedures and findings, complications, and predisposing factors of adnexal torsion in pregnant women.

METHODS

We searched PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Web of Science from January 2000 to March 2022. All case reports and case series with full-text English language reporting adnexal torsion in pregnant women were included. Medical history, clinical presentations, surgical procedures and findings, complications related to adnexal torsion, and predisposing factors were independently extracted by two investigators.

RESULTS

A total of 182 articles reporting 662 pregnant women with adnexal torsion were included. Most of the adnexal torsions occurred during the first trimester (54.63%), while others occurred during the second (26.36%) and third (19.00%) trimesters. The most common symptom of adnexal torsion was sudden-onset pain (80.60%). Enlargement of the adnexa was the most prevalent ultrasound finding in a twisted adnexa (95.20%). Additionally, about half of the patients had decreased blood flow in Doppler ultrasound (53.80%). Laparoscopic surgery was the favorite option (56.88%), while cystectomy and detorsion were the most commonly performed procedure (29.06%). Expectant management was reported in only 2.99% of the patients. In addition, the most common complications were preterm labor (27.58%) and emergent cesarean sections (25.28%).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should think of adnexal torsion when pregnant women complain of sudden-onset pain. Then, using ultrasound, adnexal enlargement or masses should be explored seriously. They should take invasive and urgent therapy to preserve ovaries and prevent complications.

Is Ultrasound a Reliable and Reproducible Method for Assessing Adnexal Masses in Pregnancy? A Systematic Review

In this study, we aimed to systematicallyreview the current evidence regarding the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in assessing adnexal masses in pregnancy. The Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and EMBASE databases were searched for all types of clinical studies that utilised ultrasound for the diagnosis of adnexal masses in pregnancy. Only studies that used outcome measures of either histological diagnosis or significant regression of the adnexal mass on imaging follow-up were included. The quality of each study was assessed for risk of bias. The diagnostic performance of ultrasound in each study type was calculated, along with the pooled diagnostic performance of ultrasound in differentiating benign from malignant masses. The initial search yielded 4,915 articles, of which 2,547 qualified for abstract screening. A total of 83 articles were included in this review, including one prospective cohort study, six retrospective observational studies, seven case series, and 69 case reports. In the included studies, the total number of adnexal masses was 559. The mean patient age was 29.2 years (95% confidence interval [CI]: 28.7-29.7), with a mean gestational age at diagnosis of 13.8 weeks (95% CI: 13.2-14.4). The mean quality assessment score was 75%. The International Ovarian Tumour Analysis Simple Rules were used in two articles, whereas subjective impression was used in the remaining 81 articles. The most frequently diagnosed mass was a simple or physiological cyst (35%). The prevalence of malignancy in the entire sample was 46/559 (8%; 95% CI: 34-61%). The overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of ultrasound in detecting ovarian malignancy were 64% (95% CI: 30-88%), 88% (95% CI: 64-97%), 5.6 (95% CI: 1.2-25.4), and 0.4 (95% CI: 0.15-1), respectively. In conclusion, currently, there is a lack of high-quality prospective studies to guide the management of adnexal masses in pregnancy. Ultrasound appears to have an adequate accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant masses; however, more research is required to assess the role of ultrasound models, rules, and subjective assessment in pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women.

Laparoscopic detorsion for bilateral ovarian torsion in a singleton pregnancy with spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

A 26-year-old primigravida with a singleton pregnancy of 9 weeks gestation presented with severe lower abdominal pain, following spontaneous hyperstimulation of the ovaries in a natural conception. Emergency laparoscopy was done and bilateral ovarian torsion with retained vascularity was noted. Bilateral detorsion with ovarian puncture and ovariopexy was performed. A review of international literature suggests that this is the first case reported with bilateral ovarian torsion following spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a singleton pregnancy.

Bilateral megalocystic ovaries following in vitro fertilization detected during cesarean section: a case presentation

We present a patient with persistent bilateral megalocystic ovaries following in vitro fertilization which was detected during cesarean section. A 24 year-old primigravida presented to our clinic at the 36(th) week of a twin pregnancy with labour pain and cervical dilatation. On ultrasound examination, 2 masses of 90×60 and 60×70 mm were seen in the right and left adnexal regions respectively. Her history showed that she had unexplained infertility for 4 years and had undergone IVF with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-agonist stimulation. Two embryos were transferred. Twin pregnancy was detected on ultrasound examination. The patient was delivered by emergency caesarean section due to transverse presentations at 36(th) weeks of gestation. During the operation, both adnexae were markedly enlarged, the right ovary measuring about 15×18 cm and the left about 16×18 cm. There was minimal ascites in the abdominal cavity. Ovarian biopsy was performed and the final pathology report showed bilateral follicle cysts. The patient was discharged on the postoperative 4(th) day. The patient was seen 4 weeks later. She had no complaints and ultrasound follow-up revealed a normal size uterus and ovaries. We should keep in mind that hyperstimulated, enlarged ovaries and its complication may be seen in the late weeks of pregnancy, even at term, in cases of in vitro fertilization cases. Therefore, close follow-up of pregnant IVF patints is recommended whether they had OHSS or not, because ovarian torsion caused by hyperstimulated ovaries may be difficult to diagnose during pregnancy.