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Massive Ovarian Cyst Mimics Constipation

Katie Rong1, Meghan Kelly Herbst2

  • 1Emergency Medicine Residency, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Connecticut.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|April 11, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) aids emergency physicians in diagnosing pediatric abdominal pain and constipation. It identified a large ovarian cyst in a 14-year-old girl, expediting treatment for this uncommon cause.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Medical Ultrasound

Background:

  • Abdominal pain and constipation are frequent chief complaints in pediatric emergency departments.
  • Differential diagnoses range from uncomplicated constipation to serious intra- or extra-intestinal pathologies.
  • Point-of-care ultrasound (PoCUS) offers a valuable tool for evaluating these undifferentiated symptoms.

Observation:

  • A 14-year-old female presented with acute abdominal pain and constipation, accompanied by vomiting.
  • Initial symptoms mimicked previous episodes of constipation responsive to laxatives.
  • Point-of-care ultrasound revealed a large ovarian cyst, a previously unrecognized etiology.

Findings:

  • PoCUS successfully identified a large ovarian cyst as the cause of the patient's symptoms.
  • This finding was crucial in differentiating the condition from simple constipation.
  • The ultrasound facilitated prompt transfer for surgical intervention.

Implications:

  • Emergency physicians should consider PoCUS for pediatric patients with abdominal pain and constipation.
  • PoCUS can detect less common, fluid-associated pathologies like ovarian cysts or bowel obstructions.
  • Early ultrasound diagnosis can expedite appropriate management and improve patient outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
constipationemergency medicineovarian cystpediatricspoint-of-care ultrasound

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