A Rare Cause of Placental Abruption: Uterine Torsion

Torsion in Uterus: An Obstetrical and Gynaecological Emergency

Uterine torsion is defined as torsion of the uterus along its longitudinal axis greater than 45 degrees. It is observed in all age groups of the reproductive period, in all parity groups, and at all stages of pregnancy. Torsion from 60 degrees to 720 degrees has been described. It is not possible to clarify why it occurs, but numerous abnormalities have appeared with uterine torsion. It is a rare complication that can result in placental abruption and intrauterine foetal death. Pregnancy, giant fibroids, and ovarian cysts are among the most common causes. Vague clinical attributes make diagnosis challenging pre-operatively and can be missed on routine ultrasound. Being a rare life-threatening condition, it necessitates a high level of concern for diagnosis and prompt intervention to optimise results. This review will help the healthcare worker to understand the various presentation of uterine torsion and their management by appropriately and timely diagnosing it.

A Case Report of Uterine Torsion: An Obstetric Emergency During Pregnancy

Uterine torsion is an exceedingly rare obstetric emergency representing pelvic organ torsion, characterized by the uterus rotating more than 45 degrees around the longitudinal axis. This torsion predominantly occurs at the junction of the cervix and uterine corpus. Albeit the infrequent prevalence, this condition can arise in any reproductive group. Oligohydramnios is defined as an amniotic fluid volume of 2 cm or less in the single deepest vertical pocket. During pregnancy, uterine torsion is known to be associated with severe maternal and perinatal consequences encompassing placental abruption, maternal mortality, and intrauterine fetal demise. Here, we present a specific case of a woman who experienced uterine torsion during pregnancy, leading to complications such as uteroplacental and fetoplacental insufficiency, severe fetal growth restriction, and persistent oligohydramnios throughout the pregnancy.

Uterine torsion in a full-term pregnancy presenting as prolonged latent phase and fetal intolerance of labor: A case report

Background

Uterine torsion is defined as torsion of the uterus around its longitudinal axis exceeding 45 degrees. It is a rare obstetric complication. It is a dangerous complication that can lead to placental abruption and intrauterine fetal death. Although rare, early diagnosis is crucial to expedite intervention and optimize outcomes. While the few cases in the current literature have documented acute presentations of uterine torsion, our case is unique in that it had a slower evolution.

Case

A 38-year-old woman, G2P0, was admitted at 37 weeks 0 days of gestation for induction of labor for gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, and maternal BMI of 60. Due to a prolonged latent phase of labor and fetal intolerance of labor, primary cesarean was recommended. Through a sub-umbilical approach, the uterus was dextro-rotated almost 180 degrees and blanched with engorged uterine vessels. A vertical uterine incision was made, and a asphyxiated female infant was delivered via breech extraction. APGAR scores were 2, 7, and 8. The infant required brief respiratory support following delivery. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, with normal recovery time.

Conclusion

Uterine torsion poses significant risk to both mother and fetus. The phenomenon is so rare that epidemiological data are difficult to gather. In our case, the presentation was gradual compared with the acute presentations that have been reported, which may mislead clinicians toward more benign diagnoses. Our case report aims to add to the literature on uterine torsion, providing a unique presentation, clinical features, and treatment.

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Uterine torsion is torsion of the uterus around its longitudinal axis exceeding 45 degrees.

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It is a rare obstetric complication.

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Severe acute uterine torsion can result in placental abruption, intrauterine fetal death, and maternal death.

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This case of uterine torsion presented as prolonged latent phase and fetal intolerance of labor.

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Delivery was achieved via classical cesarean section.

Clinical analysis of uterine torsion and fibroids in full-term pregnancy: A case report and review of the literature

This study was performed to describe the clinical features, risk factors, and treatment methods of uterine torsion in pregnancy. The most common symptoms are abdominal pain, fetal heart rate changes, and failure of cervical dilatation and are often accompanied by complete or partial placental abruption. Preoperative diagnosis is challenging even with the use of ultrasound. Uterine torsion in the third trimester is correlated with the presence of multiple uterine fibroids. The causes of gravid uterine torsion vary and the clinical manifestations are nonspecific. Early diagnosis and improved detection approaches are the keys to treatment of patients with uterine torsion. However, the preoperative diagnosis remains difficult and the diagnosis is often made during cesarean section.

A case of uterine incarceration with unrecognized uterine torsion

Fetal imagers are tasked with diagnosing complex fetal anomalies, but maternal abnormalities that may impact the pregnancy are also of utmost importance to recognize and report. Two rare obstetrical complications are uterine incarceration and torsion which can lead to increased maternal/perinatal mortality. Uterine incarceration occurs secondary to a retroverted uterus that becomes retroflexed and entrapped within the pelvis during the first trimester of pregnancy. Uterine torsion is rotation of more than 45° around its long axis. We report a rare case of an incarcerated uterus with presumed spontaneous resolution on follow-up MRI that was ultimately recognized to be uterine torsion at the time of delivery. Knowledge of these entities may help aid in timely detection and diagnosis of complex imaging presentations and avoid downstream complications.