Adnexal Torsion in Postmenopausal Women: Clinical Presentation and Risk of Ovarian Malignancy

Abstract

Study objective: To investigate the clinical presentation, operative outcome, and incidence of malignancy in postmenopausal women who were diagnosed with adnexal torsion.

Design: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: Tertiary university-affiliated hospital.

Patients: Postmenopausal women diagnosed with adnexal torsion between 1995 and 2014 (study group) were reviewed and compared with 220 premenopausal patients diagnosed with adnexal torsion during the same time period.

Intervention: Demographic data, clinical signs and symptoms, and intra- and postoperative characteristics were compared between the 2 groups.

Measurements and main results: During the study period 44 postmenopausal women were diagnosed with adnexal torsion. Continuous dull pain was the most common presenting symptom in the postmenopausal group (57%), whereas acute-onset sharp pain was the predominant symptom in the premenopausal group (86%). The time interval from admission to surgery was significantly longer in the postmenopausal group (24 vs 6 hours, p < .001). Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 84.5% of the cases in the premenopausal group, whereas it was carried out in only 50% of cases in the postmenopausal group (p < .001). Four women in the postmenopausal group were diagnosed with malignancy, whereas only 1 case of malignancy was found in the premenopausal group (9% vs .4%, respectively; p = .003).

Conclusions: Adnexal torsion in postmenopausal women is an uncommon event with a unique presentation. Because ovarian malignancy is not an uncommon finding in this group of patients, preparation for more extensive surgery should be contemplated.

Keywords: Adnexal torsion; Ovarian carcinoma; Postmenopause.