Left-sided omental torsion: CT appearance

A 34-year-old male presented with exquisite left flank pain. Computed tomog raphy showed a hyperdense vascular structure surrounded by whirling linear streaks situated in the greater omentum under the splenic flexure of the co lon. Omental stranding extended caudally into the pelvis where part of the inflamed omentum entered a left inguinal hernia sac. Surgery revealed left- sided torsion of the greater omentum. Left-sided omental torsion is infrequ ent and pre-operative diagnosis is rarely established. The CT findings of a n omental fatty mass with a whirling pattern is characteristic of omental t orsion. Preoperative diagnosis is important because conservative management has been suggested.