Imaging of ovarian fibromatosis

Ovarian fibromatosis associated with large pedunculated fibroma in a 30-year-old woman: A rare coincidence or variant?

A 30-year-old nulligravida was referred under suspicion of large subserosal myoma. T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed multilobulated solid mass in the left lower abdomen measuring 16 cm in longitudinal diameter. The ovarian surface was covered with a marked T2-hypointense thick rim called "black garland sign," forming multiple nodular masses ranging from 1 to 5 cm in diameter in some portions of the bilateral ovaries. By laparoscopic-assisted minilaparotomy, the stalk of pedunculated mass originating from the left ovarian hilum was excised, followed by carrying out of the body after in-bag morcellation using a surgical scalpel. Right ovarian exophytic nodular masses larger than 1 cm were excised using monopolar electrode needle. Pathological examination of excised right and left masses showed fibroblast-like spindle cell proliferation with collagenous stroma; however, differences between right and left masses cannot be distinguished on a histological level. Postoperative diagnosis was ovarian fibromatosis coexisting with large pedunculated fibroma.

O-RADS Ultrasound Version 1: A Scenario-Based Review of Implementation Challenges

The Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) ultrasound (US) risk stratification and management system was first published by the American College of Radiology in 2020. It provides standardized terminology for evaluation of ovarian and adnexal masses, aids risk stratification, and provides management guidelines for different categories of lesions. This system has been validated by subsequent research and found to be a useful diagnostic and management tool. However, as noted in the system's governing concepts, in some clinical scenarios, such as patients with acute symptoms or with a history of ovarian malignancy, O-RADS US does not apply, or the system's standard management may be adjusted. Additional scenarios, such as an adnexal mass in pregnancy, present challenges in the application of O-RADS US to assist diagnosis and management. The purpose of this article is to highlight 10 clinical scenarios in which O-RADS US version 1 may not apply, may be difficult to apply, or may require modified management. Additional scenarios in which O-RADS US can be appropriately applied are also described.

Ovarian Fibromatosis: "The black garland sign"

The main objective in the imaging differential diagnosis of an ovarian mass is to establish whether it is cystic or solid; solid lesions are less common. Ovarian fibromatosis is a benign disease of the ovary that is rarely included in the differential diagnosis of solid ovarian lesions. Characteristic features of masses that have a fibrous component are low signal in T1-weighted MRI sequences and especially in T2-weighted MRI sequences. The presence of peripheral fibrotic tissue around the residual ovarian tissue is specific to ovarian fibromatosis; on MRI, this results in marked hypointensity on T2-weighted images that has been dubbed the "black garland sign". This sign, together with slight peripheral enhancement after the administration of contrast material and the preservation of the ovarian architecture, facilitates the diagnosis, making it possible to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions.

Ovarian solid tumors: MR imaging features with radiologic-pathologic correlation

Ovarian solid tumors have variable histological types including benign and malignant tumors. In addition, non-neoplastic lesions sometimes show a tumor-like appearance. It is important to differentiate benign from malignant tumors. In general, low signal intensity (SI) on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), low SI on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and gradual increased pattern on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are known to be suggestive of a benign tumor. Conversely, there are some cases in which these rules do not apply. We should, therefore, strive for a greater understanding of these exceptional cases. Several tumors show characteristic findings on MR imaging reflecting pathologic features, which leads to the correct diagnosis. Additionally, MR imaging provides important information other than the nature of tumors, such as secondary uterine changes. Furthermore, clinical findings and laboratory examination data also help in determining the correct diagnosis.

Intra-abdominal fibromatosis: differentiation from gastrointestinal stromal tumour based on biphasic contrast-enhanced CT findings

AIM

To identify the computed tomography (CT) criteria that differentiate intra-abdominal fibromatosis (IAF) from gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CT images of 34 pathologically proven cases of IAF (n = 15) and GIST (n = 19) were retrospectively reviewed. Location, contour, border, enhancement pattern, presence of necrosis, vessels, and air within the lesion were analysed. Long diameter (LD), short diameter (SD), LD/SD ratio, degree of enhancement, and lesion/aorta (L/A) CT attenuation ratio were measured and calculated. Significant CT criteria were identified using Fisher's exact test, grouped t-test, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Sensitivity and specificity values were calculated when single or multiple CT criteria were used.

RESULTS

Extra-gastrointestinal location, ovoid or irregular contour, homogeneous enhancement, absence of intra-lesional necrosis, lower degree of enhancement, and L/A CT attenuation ratio differentiated IAF from GIST (p < 0.05). When any three of these eight criteria were combined, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing IAF were 100% (15 of 15) and 89.5% (17 of 19), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The following eight CT criteria are helpful to differentiate IAF from GIST: extra-gastrointestinal location, ovoid or irregular contour, homogeneous enhancement, absence of intra-lesional necrosis, a degree of enhancement of less than 40.5 HU in the arterial phase versus 46.5 HU in the portal venous phase, and an L/A CT attenuation ratio <0.315 in the arterial phase versus 0.525 in the portal phase.

Miscellaneous tumour-like lesions of the ovary: cross-sectional imaging review

Miscellaneous tumour-like ovarian lesions are histobiologically diverse, and are often mistaken for the more common ovarian cancers, leading to aggressive management. Knowledge of characteristic clinical, laboratory and imaging findings of these select non-neoplastic ovarian entities allows correct diagnoses and permits optimal management.

Ovarian hyperthecosis on grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound

OBJECTIVES

To describe the grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound findings in women with ovarian hyperthecosis.

METHODS

In a retrospective study, we reviewed the findings on ultrasound examination of the ovaries in 10 patients with proven hyperthecosis. Clinical features had been recorded and testosterone levels measured in all cases. The ovaries had been examined using grayscale ultrasound in all patients and color Doppler in six patients. Bilateral stromal hyperthecosis had been pathologically confirmed in all patients.

RESULTS

The clinical features were polymorphic, with symptoms of virilization in four patients. Type 2 diabetes was present in four patients. Testosterone levels were greater than 2 ng/mL in four patients. On grayscale ultrasound examination, the ovaries were normal in two patients but showed bilateral abnormalities in eight; both ovaries were increased in size in seven patients and had a round shape in two patients, the ovary being both increased in size and round in shape in one of these patients. A very peculiar nodular stromal pattern was observed in two out of 10 patients, while a homogeneous stromal pattern was observed in eight patients. On color Doppler, performed in six patients, no areas of hypervascularization were observed.

CONCLUSION

Findings on grayscale ultrasonography and on color Doppler examination, in association with clinical and biological findings, are useful in the diagnosis of ovarian hyperthecosis and in ruling out the presence of an androgen-secreting tumor.

MR features of physiologic and benign conditions of the ovary

In reproductive women, various physiologic conditions can cause morphologic changes of the ovary, resembling pathologic conditions. Benign ovarian diseases can also simulate malignancies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can play an important role in establishing accurate diagnosis. Functional cysts should not be confused with cystic neoplasms. Corpus luteum cysts typically have a thick wall and are occasionally hemorrhagic. Multicystic lesions that may mimic cystic neoplasms include hyperreactio luteinalis, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Recognition of clinical settings can help establish diagnosis. In endometrial cysts, MRI usually provides specific diagnosis; however, decidual change during pregnancy should not be confused with secondary neoplasm. Peritoneal inclusion cysts can be distinguished from cystic neoplasms by recognition of their characteristic configurations. Ovarian torsion and massive ovarian edema may mimic solid malignant tumors. Recognition of normal follicles and anatomic structures is useful in diagnosing these conditions. In pelvic inflammatory diseases, transfascial spread of the lesion should not be confused with invasive malignant tumors. Radiologic identification of abscess formation can be a diagnostic clue. Many benign tumors, including teratoma, Brenner tumor, and sex-cord stromal tumor, frequently show characteristic MRI features. Knowledge of MRI features of these conditions is essential in establishing accurate diagnosis and determining appropriate treatment.

Bilateral ovarian fibromatosis presenting with ascites and hirsutism

BACKGROUND

Ovarian fibromatosis is a very rare nonneoplastic disease. Due to the rarity and atypical clinical presentations, they may give rise to a misdiagnosis of malignancy and unnecessary extensive surgical interventions. Literature lacks definitive data about this rare disease and its preoperative evaluations. MRI together with the intraoperative frozen section may help us to define the benign nature of the disease. In this report, we aimed to review the literature and give a highlight to the gynecologic oncologists about this rare disease.

CASE HISTORY

A 19-year-old female patient admitted to our hospital with the complaints of menstrual irregularity, hirsutism, and increased abdominal girth. Physical examination revealed bilateral ovarian mass, hirsutism, and ascites. Serum CA-125 levels were slightly elevated. Preoperative MRI study showed bilateral hypointense lobulated ovarian masses. With the initial diagnosis of ovarian tumor, we performed explorative laparotomy and excised both masses. Final pathology was reported as bilateral ovarian fibromatosis.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian fibromatosis commonly presents with ascites and solid pelvic mass and can be misdiagnosed as a malignant ovarian tumor. In young patients, clinicians should consider ovarian fibromatosis in differential diagnosis of pelvic mass. Preoperative MRI findings and intraoperative frozen examination may be used to avoid unnecessary aggressive surgical management.