Ovarian Cysts and Torsion Risk (S2:E19)

Charting Pediatrics

On this episode we discuss the diagnosis and management of ovarian cysts and torsion risk with Patricia Huguelet, MD. Dr. Huguelet is the Section Chief of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at Children’s Hospital Colorado and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

In this episode:

• Most common presentations/symptoms of ovarian cysts reported to a primary care provider.
• Why many ovarian cysts can be asymptomatic.
• Differentiating between other abdominal pain versus ovarian cyst pain.
• Determining whether ovarian cysts are benign or malignant.
• The differences in symptoms and pain in benign versus malignant cysts.
• Three mechanisms of ovarian pain: ischemia from torsion, acute rupture and hemorrhage, rapid capsular stretch.
• The optimal modality for ovarian cyst imaging diagnosis.
• Symptoms and pain that would lead more towards ovarian torsion diagnosis.
• When ovarian torsion might occur without the presence of a cyst or mass.
• Why it is always better to preserve the ovary after torsion; resilience of function.
• The fertility outlook for women who have had ovarian torsion.
• Best treatment course for a hemorrhagic cyst; preserving fertility.
• Laboratory tests to consider when diagnosing ovarian cysts/torsion.
• Outpatient followup care for patients after treatment/diagnosis for ovarian cysts or torsion.
• Likelihood of recurrence of ovarian cysts and risk for torsion.
• The role of non-steroidal use in ovarian cyst pain control.