Clinical Predictors of Isolated Tubal Torsion: A Case Series

Study objective: A rare cause of adolescent abdominal pain includes isolated tubal torsion (ITT). Presentation is nonspecific and few studies have investigated ITT in adolescents. Our study objective was to describe the presentation and management of ITT in a large case series.

Design: Retrospective observational case series.

Setting: Tertiary care children's hospital.

Participants: Participants were female and aged 3-21 years, presenting to Children's Hospital Colorado and diagnosed with ITT between January 2004 and August 2015.

Interventions and main outcome measures: Clinical presentation, physical exam, laboratory findings, surgical diagnosis, and treatment provided.

Results: A total of 19 cases were included. Average age was 13.3 (range, 11-18) years. In patients with unilateral abdominal pain (n = 16), there was 100% correlation with side of adnexal pathology. Ultrasound examination in 14 of 18 cases (78%) noted abnormal findings ipsilateral to the ITT. Most cases were managed with laparoscopy (84%; n = 16 of 19) and detorsion with or without cystectomy (74%; n = 14 of 19). Salpingectomy was more common with prolonged pain greater than 24 hours (relative risk 5.6, 95% confidence interval, 0.7-39.0). The most common intraoperative finding was a paratubal cyst (74%; n = 14 of 19). When Doppler flow was performed, it was present in 88% (n = 16 of 18) of the affected adnexa. ITT was more common on the left side (68%; n = 13 of 19).

Conclusion: The high occurrence of paratubal cysts might suggest pathologic predisposition for ITT. Providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for ITT, particularly if associated with a paratubal cyst. Classic examination findings of surgical abdomen, leukocytosis, fever, and absence of Doppler flow are infrequently present. Laparoscopy and detorsion are appropriate treatments for managing ITT.