[Emergency ultrasound diagnosis of ovarian torsion in children : nine case reports].

OBJECTIVE: To report the ultrasonographic aspects of ovarian torsion in nine pediatric cases.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: The age range was from 16 months to 14 years. The patients presented with a variety of symptoms, including pain in the site of torsion. Ultrasonography was performed in all patients, and color Doppler studies in four.

RESULTS: Ultrasonography showed a cystic mass in six patients, a solid mass with peripheral cysts in two patients and an adnexal cyst in one patient. Color Doppler revealed absence of flow in three patients. The patients were treated by coeliosurgery.

CONCLUSION: Ovarian torsion is a serious gynecologic emergency. Torsion is rare during childhood and has a non-specific clinical presentation. Ultrasound and Doppler are the imaging study of choice. The ovarian salvage was attributable to the combination of delay in patient presentation and surgical delay.