Ovarian torsion is when an ovary (often with a cyst or mass) twists on its blood supply, cutting off blood flow and threatening the ovary's survival.
Sudden, severe, one-sided lower abdominal pain, often with nausea and vomiting; pain may come and go if the ovary partially twists and untwists.
Imaging confirms the twist, shows whether the ovary still has blood flow, and identifies any underlying cyst or mass driving the torsion.
Pelvic ultrasound with Doppler is the first test; it shows the ovary's size, blood flow, and any associated mass.
Most cases need urgent surgery (often laparoscopic) to untwist the ovary and preserve it; delay risks loss of the ovary.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.