Clinical characteristics and the risk for malignancy in postmenopausal women with adnexal torsion

Objective To compare clinical characteristics and management of adnexal torsion in postmenopausal patients as compared to premenopausal ones. Methods A retrospective 22 year cohort of all cases of surgically verified adnexal torsion in postmenopausal and premenopausal patients, comparing presentation, imaging, surgical procedure and histology. Results Thirty five cases of adnexal torsion among postmenopausal patients were compared to 302 cases among premenopausal ones. Complex ovarian masses and larger ovarian diameter were more common among postmenopausal patients (7.8 vs. 6.8 cm, p = 0.003). The admission to surgical interval differed substantially between the groups (75.5 h in postmenopausal patients vs. 24.4 in the premenopausal ones, p < 0.001). The main surgical indication for postmenopausal patients was pelvic mass investigation (54.3% vs 11.6%, p < 0.001), and more premenopausal patients underwent surgery with a clinical suspicion of adnexal torsion (77.1% vs. 40%, p < 0.001). Extensive surgery including bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with or without total abdominal hysterectomy was more commonly performed in postmenopausal patients, as opposed to conservative surgery, including detorsion and cystectomy/fenestration or detorsion only, in premenopausal surgeries. Cancer was diagnosed in 3% of postmenopausal patients with adnexal torsion. Conclusion Adnexal torsion in postmenopausal women is rare, but presents similarly, results in more delayed and extensive surgery and involves malignancy in 3%.