Struma Ovarii with Pseudo-Meigs' Syndrome and Raised Cancer Antigen-125 Levels Masquerading as an Ovarian Carcinoma Case report and literature review

Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2017 May;17(2):e229-e233. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2016.17.02.017. Epub 2017 Jun 20.

Abstract

The monodermal teratoma struma ovarii is a rare ovarian tumour; however, struma ovarii presenting with pseudo-Meigs' syndrome and raised cancer antigen (CA)-125 levels is even rarer. In elderly patients, this presentation can potentially lead to a misdiagnosis of a malignant ovarian carcinoma, resulting in unnecessary extensive surgery. We report a 55-year-old female who presented to the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, New Delhi, India, in 2016 with progressive abdominal discomfort, fatigue and abdominal distention. Clinical and radiological features were indicative of a malignant ovarian tumour and ascites. Serum CA-125 levels were elevated at 258 U/mL. A left-sided salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, after which the serum CA-125 levels normalised. There was no evidence of recurrence at a six-month follow-up. A frozen section procedure confirmed the diagnosis of a struma ovarii. This rare condition should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with ovarian masses, ascites and raised CA-125 levels.

Keywords: Ascites; Carcinoma; Case Report; Frozen Section; India; Meigs’ Syndrome; Ovarian Cancers; Struma Ovarii.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ascites / diagnosis
  • CA-125 Antigen / blood*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • India
  • Meigs Syndrome / blood
  • Meigs Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Meigs Syndrome / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Salpingo-oophorectomy
  • Struma Ovarii / blood
  • Struma Ovarii / diagnosis*
  • Struma Ovarii / surgery

Substances

  • CA-125 Antigen