A rare cause of acute abdominal pain in children: Isolated tubal torsion; a case series

Yasemin Dere Gunal; Gokhan Berktug Bahadir; Ozlem Boybeyı; Aylin Pelin Cıl; Mustafa Kemal Aslan

doi:10.1016/j.tjem.2016.12.003

Yasemin Dere Gunal¹, Gokhan Berktug Bahadir², Ozlem Boybeyı³, Aylin Pelin Cıl⁴, Mustafa Kemal Aslan¹

¹Kırıkkale University, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Kırıkkale, Turkey
²Mersin University, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Mersin, Turkey
³Hacettepe University, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Ankara, Turkey
⁴Kırıkkale University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kırıkkale, Turkey

Keywords: Fallopian tube; Torsion; Paratubal cyst; Adolescent; Acute abdomen

Abstract

Isolated tubal torsion -a rare cause of acute abdomen in children-is usually difficult to diagnose because of non-specific findings. Surgical salphingectomy is required in delayed diagnosis in most cases. Three sexual inactive adolescents diagnosed in isolated tubal torsion (ITT) were discussed for its diagnostic features and surgical management. Laboratory tests and radiological studies including ultrasonography (US), color doppler ultrasound were performed in all patients after evaluation for acute lower abdominal pain in emergency department and they underwent surgical intervention with laparotomy (n:2) and laparoscopy (n:1). One of the patients in this study had salpingectomy. Detorsion of the fallopian tube and cyst excision were performed in the remaining two patients who also had paratubal cysts. There was no recurrence in these patients during the follow-up for 3 and 2 years. The isolated tubal torsion should be kept in mind and early surgical management is essential in order to preserve fallopian tube because of its importance in fertility.