Chronic ovarian torsion after vaginal hysterectomy: a case with metastatic serous ovarian cancer.

Abstract

Ovarian torsion refers to partial or complete rotation of the ovary on its ligamentous support, often resulting in partial or complete obstruction of its blood supply. It is one of the most common gynecologic surgical emergencies and may affect females of all ages, but it is relatively rare in postmenopausal women. Chronic adnexal torsion with complete occlusion of the ovarian blood supply results in necrosis and loss of ovarian function. Clinical symptoms and signs are not specific and definitive diagnosis is often challenging. In this case report, we present a 65-year-old woman with chronic ovarian torsion that was detected 7 years after vaginal hysterectomy. Approximately 3% of postmenopausal cases with adnexal torsion are associated with malignancy. Ovarian torsion incidence is low in postmenopausal ovarian cancer due to the progression of accompanying inflammation, which causes immobility of the ovarian mass.