Whirlpool sign (ovarian torsion)

Last revised by Andrea Molinari on 15 Feb 2024

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Di Muzio B, Molinari A, Amer M, et al. Whirlpool sign (ovarian torsion). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-62160

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-62160

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/62160

rID:

62160

Article created:

4 Aug 2018, Bruno Di Muzio ◉ ◈

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Bruno Di Muzio had no recorded disclosures.

View Bruno Di Muzio's current disclosures

Last revised:

15 Feb 2024, Andrea Molinari ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Andrea Molinari had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Andrea Molinari's current disclosures

Revisions:

16 times, by 10 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Gynaecology

Sections:

Signs

Tags:

ovarian, torsion, whirlpool, sign, adnexal

Synonyms:

Whirlpool sign - ovarian torsion
Whirlpool sign - ovary
Whirl sign - ovarian torsion
Whirl sign - ovary

The whirlpool sign or whirl sign of ovarian torsion is characterized by the appearance of a twisted ovarian pedicle, which can be seen on ultrasound, CT, and MRI ^1,2.

Terminology

The term whirlpool sign is used in other contexts: see whirlpool sign (disambiguation).

Radiographic features

It appears as a twisting of the thickened vascular pedicle of the enlarged ovary. It can be detected on ultrasound (usually the first imaging examination suspected), confirming the diagnosis along with the other suggestive imaging features and clinical presentation ³.

MRI

The whirlpool sign is demonstrated on axial T2 and T1 C+ fat sat sequences ⁴. A swollen and heterogeneous appearance of the ovarian tissue may be also seen, with increased T2 signal intensity ².

References

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