The Acute Female Nongravid Pelvis: A Review of Appropriate Clinical Applications of Sonography, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Objective: The objective of this literature review was to provide a summary of the primary concerns in evaluating ovarian cysts and compare the diagnostic roles of each imaging technique, in an emergent setting. Materials and Methods: A literature review of the imaging evaluation of functional ovarian cysts, emergent complications, and relevant case studies was performed using peer-reviewed articles. The literature search was conducted using PubMed, The Wiley Online Library, and Google Scholar search engines. Results: Sonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrate comparable accuracy in the diagnosis of functional ovarian cysts and ovarian torsion. While sonography is the preferred method of imaging the female pelvis, CT and MRI demonstrate similar diagnostic capabilities. Conclusion: Functional ovarian cyst rupture/hemorrhage and ovarian torsion can be accurately demonstrated using sonography, CT, and MRI.