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Beyond the acute abdomen: A primary care case of ovarian torsion revealing familial cystic kidney disease

Zarina AYIK, Konul ABDULLAYEVA and Vildan MEVSIM

Acute abdominal pain in adolescent females is a common but high-risk presentation in primary care. Gynecological emergencies such as ovarian torsion require rapid recognition and urgent referral to prevent loss of ovarian function. Additionally, incidental findings during acute evaluation may uncover previously unrecognized hereditary conditions. This case highlights the critical gatekeeping role of family physicians in both emergency recognition and holistic follow-up.A 12-year-old girl presented to a primary care center with her mother, reporting one week of left lower quadrant abdominal pain with sudden worsening on the day of admission, resulting in difficulty walking. On examination, her general condition was poor, and marked guarding and rebound tenderness were noted in the left lower quadrant. Vital signs were stable, but laboratory testing revealed anemia (hemoglobin 8.9 g/dL). Given the acute abdomen findings, the patient was urgently referred to the emergency department. Secondary care imaging with ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a ruptured left ovarian cyst with associated ovarian torsion and intra-abdominal free fluid. Emergency surgery confirmed these findings, and appropriate surgical management was successfully performed. During further thoracoabdominal imaging, incidental cystic renal changes with kidney torsion were identified. This prompted family screening, which revealed cystic kidney disease in both the patient’s mother and sister, suggesting a familial cystic kidney disorder. The family was referred for nephrology and genetic evaluation.This case uniquely combines a gynecological emergency with the incidental detection of a hereditary renal condition, emphasizing the extended impact of primary care–initiated evaluation.Primary care physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for gynecological causes of acute abdomen in adolescents and recognize the importance of follow-up for incidental findings. Family screening can enable early diagnosis of hereditary diseases.Timely primary care recognition and referral prevented serious gynecological complications and facilitated early identification of a familial renal disorder, underscoring the integrative role of family medicine.Timely primary care recognition and referral prevented serious gynecological complications and facilitated early identification of a familial renal disorder, underscoring the integrative role of family medicine. Keywords (MeSH) Acute Abdomen; Ovarian Torsion; Ovarian Cysts; Adolescent; Polycystic Kidney Diseases; Primary Health Care