Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyReferences
Emergency: requires immediate attention
Omental torsion
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed
Emergency: requires immediate attention

Omental torsion

Contributors: Michael W. Winter MD, Paritosh Prasad MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Omental torsion is a rare etiology for acute abdominal pain in which the omentum rotates around a fixed point, compromising blood supply. Omental torsion can be primary, occurring in the absence of underlying intraabdominal pathology, or secondary, occurring in the setting of hernias, tumors, cysts, adhesions (surgical scarring), or postinflammatory changes that serve as a nidus for torsion. The etiology of primary omental torsion is not well understood but is associated with central obesity and underlying inflammatory processes. Inguinal hernias are the most common etiology for secondary omental torsion.

Patients will present with acute-onset abdominal pain reflective of an acute surgical abdomen. Typically, pain is located in the right lower quadrant and can be associated with nausea, emesis, or fever.

Middle-aged males are most commonly affected.

If not treated, vascular compromise can lead to infarction.

Codes

ICD10CM:
K56.2 – Volvulus

SNOMEDCT:
51877002 – Omental torsion

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:02/26/2018
Last Updated:02/26/2018
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Emergency: requires immediate attention
Omental torsion
Print  
A medical illustration showing key findings of Omental torsion : Abdominal pain, Nausea, Vomiting, Low grade fever, RLQ pain, WBC elevated
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.