title: A complex ovarian cyst.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute pelvic pain in women is a common diagnostic dilemma encountered by the gynecologist. We describe a case of acute pelvic pain with an unusual etiology.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 40-year-old multipara presented within hours of the onset of acute pelvic pain. She was treated conservatively with analgesics after computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis revealed a ruptured ovarian cyst. Upon return to the emergency room, she was admitted to a gynecologic service for pain control. The etiology of her acute pelvic pain eventually declared itself.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The differential diagnosis of acute pelvic pain represents a variety of organ systems.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA. Bakkum.Jamie@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Jamie N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Bakkum
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015390:Gastric Bypass; D006801:Humans; D045822:Intestinal Volvulus / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007579:Jejunal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010048:Ovarian Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy