A Text-book of Diseases of WomenPenrose, Charles B. (Charles Bingham)
Science
A Text-book of Diseases of Women
Penrose, Charles B. (Charles Bingham)
Women -- Diseases
The symptoms of acute torsion are, however, very marked. The woman is
seized with sudden and violent pain in the abdomen, accompanied by
vomiting and collapse. Sometimes the abdomen becomes rapidly increased
in size on account of the venous engorgement of the tumor. If a woman
known to have an ovarian tumor is thus attacked, the diagnosis of
torsion of the pedicle may be made. The diagnosis is rendered more
probable if the woman is also pregnant or if she has been recently
delivered. If the woman presents herself for the first time to the
physician with these acute symptoms, and he finds by abdominal and
pelvic examination that there is an ovarian tumor, he should suspect
that torsion of the pedicle has occurred.
_Rupture of the Cyst._--Rupture of an ovarian cyst usually follows a
fall, a violent attack of coughing, vomiting, etc.
The woman is seized with sudden pain in the abdomen, with perhaps
symptoms of collapse and loss of blood.
The shape of the abdomen becomes quickly altered from that
characteristic of encysted fluid to that characteristic of free fluid
in the peritoneum. The alteration in shape is so marked that it may
readily be perceived by the patient.
These phenomena are followed by profuse diuresis, or perhaps by
symptoms of peritoneal inflammation.
If the woman survive, there is a gradual reaccumulation of fluid and a
return of the abdomen to the former shape.
=Examination.=--In the early stages of an ovarian cyst, while it is
in the pelvic state of development, bimanual examination will reveal
the condition. The tumor lies to the side, to the front, or behind
the uterus. The uterus may be moved independently of the tumor. The
cystic character of the growth may often be determined by palpation;
fluctuation may be felt between the vaginal finger and the abdominal
hand. If the tumor be intra-peritoneal, with a pedicle, it will be
found to be movable, and may be pushed out of the pelvis up into the
lower abdomen. If it be intra-ligamentous, the range of motion is
limited, the tumor is situated lower in the pelvis, and is in closer
relationship with the uterus.
The shape of the tumor is usually spherical. In a multilocular cyst the
surface may be lobulated; in a dermoid cyst the pultaceous character
of the contents may sometimes be determined by pressure with the
vaginal finger.
When the tumor has attained a sufficient size to have extended into the
abdomen, much may be determined by careful abdominal examination. The
woman should lie upon the back, and all constricting clothing should be
removed. The whole abdomen should be exposed.
The bulging or prominence caused by the cyst is usually apparent in a
thin woman. It commonly occupies the middle of the abdomen, but when
not very large may lie to either side.
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