Adnexal Torsion in the Third Trimester

Abstract

A 41-year-old woman presented with acute, severe left-sided abdominal pain and vomiting at 37 weeks’ gestation. Her symptoms were attributed to renal colic, and she was admitted for supportive treatment. During her admission, she went into spontaneous labour. Due to other obstetric indications, the team proceeded with delivery by emergency caesarean section. Intra-operatively, a necrotic left fallopian tube and ovary were identified, and a diagnosis of adnexal torsion (AT) was recognised. There was no return of tissue perfusion on de-torsion, and a left salpingo-oopherectomy was performed. AT in pregnancy is unusual, with only a minority of cases occurring in the third trimester. This is a challenging diagnosis to establish and requires a high index of suspicion. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful in establishing a diagnosis but should not delay definitive treatment. Prompt surgical intervention is paramount to prevent irreversible damage to ovarian tissue.