A Postmenopausal Woman with Giant Ovarian Serous Cyst Adenoma: A Case Report with Brief Literature Review

Challenging Diagnosis and Management of an Ovarian Cyst Torsion in a Postmenopausal Woman: A Case Report

Ovarian masses are rare in the postmenopausal age group, and ovarian torsion is a gynecological emergency. We present a case report of a 63-year-old postmenopausal woman who presented a massive abdominal mass with pain that gradually increased during the previous 12 months. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis suggested a 16.6 cm × 14 cm × 13 cm originating from the right ovary. Total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salphingo-oophorectomy, and partial omentectomy were performed in an emergency as the patient's symptoms worsened. A massive cyst was visualized from the right ovary, which had undergone a torsion of three turns. Histopathological analysis revealed a serous cystadenoma. The twisted ovarian cyst typically manifests as an acute abdomen, although there are cases where this presentation can cause a significant delay in diagnosis. Therefore, high clinical suspicion is often necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality.

Bilateral Ovarian Torsion Due to a Giant Mucinous Cystadenoma, Contralateral Mature Teratoma, and Paratubal Cyst in a Young Adult

Giant ovarian cysts (>10 cm) are rare due to the widespread use of routine imaging. However, in the absence of compressive symptoms, giant cysts remain a diagnostic challenge, especially in patients with larger body habitus. Complications of benign ovarian cysts are infrequent but can include torsion of the adnexa. Bilateral torsion is a rare emergency that can threaten a patient's future fertility. In this case, we report on a 24-year-old female with bilateral torsion due to a triad of adnexal masses including a 30 cm mucinous cystadenoma, a 10 cm mature teratoma, and an 8 cm paratubal cyst. Controlled fluid aspiration was performed prior to en bloc resection of the cystadenoma due to the emergent nature of the case and lack of malignant features.

Endometrial Cyst Presenting as a Vague Abdominal Lump in a Postmenopausal Woman

A postmenopausal woman presented with a predominantly right-sided abdominal lump, insidious in onset and not associated with any aggravating or relieving factors. Physical examination revealed a soft cystic mass extending from the right hypochondrium to the right iliac fossa region crossing the midline. Ultrasonography of the abdomen and pelvis showed a large cystic anechoic area noted in the abdomen extending from the epigastric region to the pelvis. Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed a large non-enhancing cystic lesion in the pelvis suggesting the possibility of a right ovarian cyst or mesenteric cyst. Laparotomy was performed and the excised specimen was sent for histopathological analysis, which confirmed it to be an endometrial cyst.

[Huge ovarian tumor in a perimenopausal woman: a case report]

Huge ovarian tumor is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, in particular in developing countries. It can cause surgical complications. Anatomopathological examination is essential to establish the diagnosis. The role of tumor marker CA125 in a perimenopausal woman with pelvic mass has been widely debated.

Clinician Beware, Giant Ovarian Cysts are Elusive and Rare

Giant ovarian cysts, which are described in the literature as measuring more than 10 cms in size in their largest diameter, are rare in occurrence. With the availability of multiple imaging modalities and routine physical examinations, it has become even rarer to find such cases. Ovarian serous cystadenomas, which are benign tumors arising from the ovarian epithelium, represent the most common type.

We present a case of a 58-year-old female who came to establish primary care in our clinic. She reported ongoing symptoms of constipation, abdominal discomfort, bloating, as well as intermittent postmenopausal bleeding for the past few months. The patient reported taking over-the-counter medications for her predominant gastrointestinal symptoms with no improvement at all.

Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvis revealed the presence of giant bilateral ovarian masses measuring more than 17 X 10cms each. Further testing revealed highly elevated levels of tumor markers cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE-4). The patient subsequently underwent total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). Her histopathology report revealed the presence of bilateral benign cystadenomas.

From a primary care physician's perspective, this case highlights the importance of possible rare pathologies that can present with symptoms of a completely unrelated organ system. Even with the rarity of these cases, a clinician may encounter such a case in their everyday practice. Patients can endorse a plethora of vague complaints, often masquerading other entities seen commonly in the clinic.