Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2013 Jan;56(1):50-55. 10.5468/OGS.2013.56.1.50.

An asymptomatic ovarian steroid cell tumor with complete cystic morphology: A case report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. harmony4@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

Steroid cell tumors of the ovary are extremely rare, accounting for only 0.1% of all ovarian tumors. Of these, steroid cell tumors, not otherwise specified (NOS) constitute about 56% of all steroid cell tumors. Most steroid cell tumors secrete steroid hormones, and only about 10% to 15% of patients are asymptomatic. The morphology of steroid cell tumors, NOS is predominantly reported to be solid, and a review of case reports from 1979 until now revealed only 5 cases that were mainly cystic tumors. The present case, in a patient who had undergone a previous hysterectomy and surgery for a peritoneal inclusion cyst, is reported due to its rarity and its unusual presentation, together with a brief review of the literature. The tumor showed no clinical signs and symptoms typical of a steroid hormone secreting tumor and had an atypical morphology, being primarily multi-septate cystic with a minor solid portion.

Keyword

Steroid cell tumor; Ovary; Cystic

MeSH Terms

Accounting
Female
Humans
Hysterectomy
Ovary

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Transvaginal ultrasound indicating a large 10×8×7 cm3 sized cystic mass at the center of the pelvic cavity, with internal septation and no apparent solid portion.

  • Fig. 2 An abdominopelvic computed tomographic scan after enhancement shows a 10×8 cm sized cystic mass in the left ovary, with internal septation (arrow) and a solid portion (arrowhead), which is enhanced by contrast media.

  • Fig. 3 (A) Histological specimen shows large aggregates of tumor cells with abundant eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm, with a granular appearance and vacuolization (H&E, ×200). (B) Immunohistochemical staining shows the tumor cells exhibiting a diffuse positive reaction for inhibin (brown) (×200). (C) Immunohistochemical staining shows a diffuse positive reaction of the tumor cells for calretinin (dark red) (×100).


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