COLOR DOPPLER SONOGRAPHY OF ADNEXAL TORSION

The purpose of this study was to describe the color Doppler sonographi c findings in adnexal torsion that distinguish viable from nonviable o varies. We present the color Doppler sonographic features in 13 patien ts with surgically proved adnexal torsion that help determine whether or not the ovaries were viable or nonviable at time of surgery. Eleven combined ovarian and tubal torsions and two isolated tubal torsions w ere studied. In 10 cases the ovaries were considered nonviable at time of surgery and in three cases they were considered viable. Of the non viable group, six showed absent arterial and venous flow centrally, bu t two had low velocity (< 5 cm/s) arterial flow peripherally in the re gion of the adnexal branch of the uterine artery or in the main ovaria n artery, and two demonstrated absent or reversed diastolic arterial f low. None of the nonviable ovaries showed venous flow centrally. In co ntrast, all of the viable ovaries demonstrated venous flow centrally, and two had peripheral and central arterial flow. Although the CDS fin dings in adnexal torsion are variable, ovarian viability may be predic ted if central venous flow is present.