Massive ovarian edema: a case report

• Published in: Journal de gynécologie, obstétrique et biologie de la reproduction Vol. 38; no. 6; pp. 524 - 527
• Main Authors: Benhaddou, A, Nore, O, Hopfner, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.10.2009
• Subjects: Abdomen, Acute - etiology; Adult; Edema - diagnosis; Edema - surgery; Female; Humans; Hypertrophy - diagnosis; Hypertrophy - surgery; Ovarian Diseases - diagnosis; Ovarian Diseases - surgery; Ovary - pathology; Ovary - surgery
• ISSN: 0368-2315
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jgyn.2009.04.012

Massive ovarian oedema (MOO) is a rare pseudotumour. It is often mistaken for a malignant tumour leading to radical treatment in young patients with the risk of compromising their fertility and hormonal function. Our article describes a case of MOO in a 29-year-old nulligravid patient, who presented with an acute abdomen evocative of an ovarian torsion. Ultrasonography revealed an enlargement of he left ovary measuring 75 mmx51 mm; partial resection of the ovary was performed by laparoscopy and MOO was diagnosed on histological examination. Torsion of the pedicle was not observed. In the event of ovarian hypertrophy, in a young woman with a symptomatic previous history, an exploratory laparoscopy should be undertaken to obtain biopsies for extemporaneous examination and detorsion of the ovary with suspension. Histology is the only means of obtaining a definitive diagnosis, thus preventing unnecessary oophorectomy.