Clinical diversity of struma ovarii / 대한산부인과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and sonographic charac- teristics of struma ovarii. METHODS: Thirty three cases of struma ovarii were reviewed retrospectively over recent 5 years (1997- 2001). The presenting clinical, radiological, and pathological features of patients with consequent struma ovarii were compared, retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 40.5 years (20-70). Eight women (24.2%) were postmenopausal. The mean tumor diameter was 7.6 cm (1.5-15) and occured more frequently (60.6%) in the right ovary. Ascites was present in 11 cases. The CA-125 level was normal in 30 cases and significantly increased in 3 cases. Fourteen patients had pelvic pressure symptoms such as lower abdominal discomfort or pain, lumbago, and some of these patients were examined because of irregualr vaginal bleeding. In asymptomatic 19 patients, the ovarian tumor was an incidental finding on routine examination. Although one of the patients had cervical thyroid nodule, preoperative and postoperative evidence of hyperthyroidism was not noted and any patients did not complained symptoms of hyperthyroidism. All of the tumors were diagnosed as benign on permanant pathology and only surgical excision was done as a definitive treatment. CONCLUSION: The presented clinical, laboratory and radiological features of patients with consquent struma ovarii were diverse. The diagnosis was only made later by strict pathological criteria and conservative treatment by tumor excision only may be sufficient.