Unusual Cause of Colonic Occlusion: Large, Twisted Ovarian Cyst Compressing the Sigmoid Colon

Bowel obstruction is a common complication of advanced ovarian cancer and is rarely described in benign cystic lesions. We report a case of colon obstruction secondary to torsion of a large benign ovarian cyst.

Case presentation: A 25-year-old woman without antecedents was admitted to hospital for sigmoid colon occlusive syndrome. A CT scan revealed a large cyst probably of ovarian origin, resulting in compression of the sigmoid colon. After conditioning, we performed an exploratory laparotomy, revealing a twisted and necrotic right ovarian cyst compressing the recto-sigmoid hinge with its root. A straight adnexectomy was made, the histological findings confirmed the presence of a benign functional ovarian cyst. The hospital stay was uneventful and the symptoms of bowel obstruction were resolved immediately. Torsion of an ovarian cyst is not described as a cause of colon obstruction so far in the medical literature.