Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Diagnosis of Struma ovarii with medical imaging

  • Published:
Abdominal Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To analyze the imaging features of Struma ovarii (SO), and to correlate the imaging results with the pathological findings so as to enhance the knowledge of the imaging diagnostics of this disease.

Methods

The clinical records, CT and MRI features of twelve patients with pathologically proved SO were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging features were compared with pathological results.

Results

Most tumors (n = 11, 91.7%) were unilateral. In CT and MRI images, the lesions presented as defined irregularly shaped masses, showing mainly cystic (n = 6, 50%) or cystic (n = 6, 50%). The cystic portions presented as well defined, multiple, various size, and a whole cyst wall with smooth inner wall. Eight cases of tumors (66.7%) showed a high attenuation lesion in the cyst portion of the mass on CT precontrast scans, in which two cases showed high signal on T1WI and low signal on T2WI. The solid portions, which distributed in the cyst showed irregular tissue density. After contrast administration, the cystic portions showed no enhancement, the solid portions marked enhancement, and the cyst wall demonstrated no, moderate, or marked enhancement. Eight cases of tumors (66.7%) showed stippled calcification in the cyst wall. Four cases of tumors (33.3%) accompany a great of abdominal dropsy and pleural fluid.

Conclusions

In general, SO appeared as a smooth marginated multicystic mass with a high attenuation lesion on precontrast scans on CT scans, and signal intensities on T1-weighted images were partly intermediate to high, or high, and those on T2-weighted images were low. The CT and MRI characteristic findings of SO might be of great value for the diagnosis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kempers RD, Dockerty MB, Hoffman DL, Bartholomew LG (1970) Struma ovarii—ascitic, hyperthyroid, and asymptomatic syndromes. Ann Intern Med 72:883–893

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Roth LM, Talerman A (2007) The enigma of Struma ovarii. Pathology 39:139–146

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Outwater EK, Siegelman ES, Hunt JL (2001) Ovarian teratomas: tumor types and imaging characteristics. Radiographics 21:475–490

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Kim D, Cho HC, Park JW, et al. (2009) Struma ovarii and peritoneal strumosis with thyrotoxicosis. Thyroid 19:305–308

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Loizzi V, Cormio G, Resta L, et al. (2005) Pseudo-Meigs syndrome and elevated CA125 associated with Struma ovarii. Gynecol Oncol 97:282–284

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Teale E, Gouldesbrough DR, Peacey SR (2006) Graves’ disease and coexisting Struma ovarii: struma expression of thyrotropin receptors and the presence of thyrotropin receptor stimulating antibodies. Thyroid 16:791–793

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Van de Mortele K, Vanbeckevoort D, Hendrickx S (2003) Struma ovarii: US and CT findings. JBR-BTR 86:209–210

    Google Scholar 

  8. Kim JC, Kim SS, Park JY (2000) MR findings of Struma ovarii. Clin Imaging 24:28–33

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Dohke M, Watanabe Y, Takahashi A, et al. (1997) Struma ovarii: MR findings. J Comput Assist Tomogr 21:265–267

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Matsumoto F, Yoshioka H, Hamada T, Ishida O, Noda K (1990) Struma ovarii: CT and MR findings. J Comput Assist Tomogr 14:310–312

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Yamashita Y, Hatanaka Y, Takahashi M, Miyazaki K, Okamura H (1997) Struma ovarii: MR appearances. Abdom Imaging 22:100–102

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Okada S, Ohaki Y, Kawamura T, Hayashi T, Kumazaki T (2000) Cystic Struma ovarii: imaging findings. J Comput Assist Tomogr 24:413–415

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Joja I, Asakawa T, Mitsumori A, et al. (1998) Struma ovarii: appearance on MR images. Abdom Imaging 23:652–656

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Jung SI, Kim YJ, Lee MW, et al. (2008) Struma ovarii: CT findings. Abdom Imaging 33:740–743

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Imanishi Y, Ehara N, Shinagawa T, et al. (2000) Correlation of CT values, iodine concentration, and histological changes in the thyroid. J Comput Assist Tomogr 24:322–326

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The study was funded by National Technology Research and Development (863) grant No.: 2006AA020904.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Imaging, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou University School of Medicine, Taizhou, 318000, China

    Jianmin Shen, Xianwu Xia, Yeqing Lin, Weijun Zhu & Jianjun Yuan

Authors
  1. Jianmin Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xianwu Xia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Yeqing Lin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Weijun Zhu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jianjun Yuan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Jianmin Shen or Xianwu Xia.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shen, J., Xia, X., Lin, Y. et al. Diagnosis of Struma ovarii with medical imaging. Abdom Imaging 36, 627–631 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-010-9664-y

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-010-9664-y

Key words

Search

Navigation