Case of ovarian steroid cell tumor diagnosed after presenting acute heart failure

Abstract

We report a rare case of an ovarian steroid cell tumor with a diagnosis prompted by heart failure symptoms. A 28-year-old Japanese nulligravida/nullipara with a chief complaint of respiratory discomfort during physical exertion and exhibiting heart failure symptoms was referred to our hospital. She also had signs of virilization, including secondary menorrhea since the age of 20, hirsutism and balding. Cushing's syndrome was suspected, and further examinations showed hypertestosteronemia and right ovarian tumor. Symptomatic treatment for heart failure with diuretics and antihypertensives was followed by abdominal right adnexectomy performed due to the androgen-producing ovarian tumor. The tumor was solid and larger than a fist, and confirmed as a steroid cell tumor through postoperative histopathology. Serum total testosterone levels normalized at day 3 postoperatively, and menstruation resumed 2 months later. Our case was diagnosed due to heart failure symptoms, and its treatment resulted in improvement in virilization signs.

Contrast‑enhanced ultrasound of ovarian steroid cell tumor, not otherwise specified: A case report

“…The most commonly used imaging techniques for this type of tumor are ultrasound and MRI. As demonstrated by transvaginal ultrasound, ovarian steroid cell tumors are solid tumors with a hypo-/iso-echoic, homogeneous or heterogeneous texture (10,(15)(16)(17), characterized by abundant blood flow signals (18). On MRI, steroid cell tumors appear heterogeneous and as medium-intensity solid mass interspersed with small cysts.…”

Failure of multiple surgical procedures and adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage steroid-cell ovarian tumor treatment: a case report and literature review

“…5,6 More than half (56%–77%) of patients with an SCT-NOS show hyperandrogenic symptoms and signs of virilization, such as hirsutism, acne, deepened voice, clitoromegaly, amenorrhea, and infertility. 1,7–9 Additionally, it can present with estrogenic manifestations (6%–23%), such as menorrhagia or postmenopausal bleeding. Some patients also develop endometrial cancer.…”