Ovotesticular Disorder of Sex Development: A Rare Case of Lateral Subtype 45X/46XY kariotype Diagnosed in Adulthood

"Waking up" the sleeping metaphor of normality in connection to intersex or DSD: a scoping review of medical literature

The aim of the study is to encourage a critical debate on the use of normality in the medical literature on DSD or intersex. For this purpose, a scoping review was conducted to identify and map the various ways in which "normal" is used in the medical literature on DSD between 2016 and 2020. We identified 75 studies, many of which were case studies highlighting rare cases of DSD, others, mainly retrospective observational studies, focused on improving diagnosis or treatment. The most common use of the adjective normal was in association with phenotypic sex. Overall, appearance was the most commonly cited criteria to evaluate the normality of sex organs. More than 1/3 of the studies included also medical photographs of sex organs. This persistent use of normality in reference to phenotypic sex is worrisome given the long-term medicalization of intersex bodies in the name of a "normal" appearance or leading a "normal" life. Healthcare professionals should be more careful about the ethical implications of using photographs in publications given that many intersex persons describe their experience with medical photography as dehumanizing.

Ovotesticular Disorder of Sexual Development and Non-Palpable Testis

Disorders of sexual development (DSD) refers to a group of diseases that links the mismatch between an individual's genetic and gonadal development and its phenotype. Ovotesticular DSD (true hermaphroditism) is one such disease, in which both male and female gonads are present. A 15-year-old boy with a history of surgery for non-palpable testis was examined due to bilateral gynecomastia and known gonosomal mosaic of Klinefelter syndrome. The external genital was matured as male and, in the left half of the scrotum, there was a testicle of normal size. Despite uncertain resistance on the right side, however, the right testis was not palpable. Revision of the right groin revealed a surprising finding in the form of an ovary with a dilated fallopian tube, both of which were completely removed. Surgical revision of the left testis with biopsy was performed. The surgery was completed with a bilateral mastectomy. The postoperative course was uncomplicated, and the boy is content and fully integrated into his peer group. True hermaphroditism is a rare type of DSD. In the case described, DSD was not exhibited until puberty, after an examination for gynecomastia. The case also confirms the necessity of clarification and long-term follow-up of patients with unclear findings during surgery for non-palpable testis. Diagnostic laparoscopy is clearly indicated in these situations.

46, XX Ovotesticular disorder of sex development (true hermaphroditism) with seminoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Ovotesticular disorder of sex development (DSD), previously known as true hermaphroditism, is a disorder in which individuals have both testicular and ovarian tissues. Instances of tumors arising in the gonads of individuals with 46,XX ovotesticular DSD are uncommon.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We report a case of a 36-year-old phenotypical male with a chief complaint of an abdominal mass for 3 months. He reported normal erections and regular menses. Computerized tomography showed a large tumor measuring 15 × 10 cm in size, a uterus, and a cystic ovary.

DIAGNOSIS

46, XX ovotesticular DSD with seminoma.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated with neochemotherapy (etoposide and cisplatin), surgery, chemotherapy, and testosterone replacement.

OUTCOMES

At the 13-month follow-up, the patient reported satisfactory erections, and no evidence of disease was found.

CONCLUSION

Cases of 46,XX ovotesticular DSD with seminoma are uncommon. Our case reveals the importance of surgery combined with neochemotherapy, chemotherapy, and testosterone replacement in these patients to improve the prognosis.