Whirlpool sign (ovarian torsion)

Last revised by Vikas Shah ◉ on 27 May 2021

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Di Muzio B, Shah V, Patel M, et al. Whirlpool sign (ovarian torsion). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 30 Sep 2023) 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:

27 May 2021, Vikas Shah ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Vikas Shah had no recorded disclosures.

View Vikas Shah's current disclosures

Revisions:

6 times, by 3 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Gynaecology

Sections:

Signs

Tags:

refs, cases

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 appearances of a twisted ovarian pedicle seen on US or even on CT.

Terminology

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

Radiographic features

It appears as twisting of the thickened vascular pedicle of the enlarged ovary. It can be detected on ultrasound confirming the diagnosis along with the other suggestive imaging features and clinical presentation ². On MRI, it is best demonstrated on axial T2 and T1 C+ fat sat sequences ¹.