Massive ovarian edema: a case report

Background: Massive ovarian edema is a rare condition that affects young women. Its cause is not clearly understood but some suggest recurrent ovarian torsions to be responsible. This disease is reported in 1969 for the first time and until recently only 80 cases are reported. Clinical presentation usually is recurrent abdominal pain. Microscopic examination shows severe edema which involves ovarian tissue especially in medulla. Rapid growth, large size of the ovary and absence of true neoplastic changes are characteristic of this disorder.
Case Report: Our case showed itself by intermittent abdominal pain in a 10-year-old girl. Sonography revealed an ovarian enlargement measuring 10×7×7 cm in diameter and CT scanning showed a mass with water density in the ovary. It was grossly pale, soft and encapsulated. Frozen section histology revealed ovarian edema. The patient underwent partial oopharectomy. Permanent sections confirmed the diagnosis.
Discussion: The most important differential diagnosis is fibroma and myxoma of the ovary. This disorder is benign and current therapeutic modalities include partial oopharectomy and fixation of ovaries to prevent recurrent torsions. When an ovarian mass is found in a young woman, a frozen section examination can be helpful in diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary oophorectomy. Awareness of surgeons and pathologists is essential to achieve this goal.