Isolated fallopian tube torsion diagnosed and treated with laparoscopic surgery: A case report

• Main Authors: Fumitake Ito, Hiroshi Tatsumi, Akiko Takahata, Sachimi Yamada, Izumi Kusuki, Jo Kitawaki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-05-01
• Series: Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Therapy
• Subjects: acute abdominal pain; isolated fallopian tube torsion; laparoscopic surgery
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213307016300429

Among diseases causing acute lower abdominal pain in women, isolated fallopian tube torsion is very rare, with an annual prevalence of 1 in 1.5 million. Because it has fewer findings on imaging compared to adnexal torsion, the correct diagnosis can rarely be made before an operation. We present a case of isolated fallopian tube torsion that was suspected preoperatively by its clinical course and findings on computed tomography. A 24-year-old woman repeatedly experienced acute colicky pain in the right lower back. Transvaginal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a right pelvic cystic lesion with intact ovaries; these findings led us to schedule a laparoscopic examination. However, the patient presented to the emergency room with acute severe right back pain. The preoperative diagnosis considering the computed tomography findings and clinical course was consistent with fallopian tube torsion. An earlier diagnosis may have helped to preserve the fallopian tube and future fertility.