Calcified bilateral ovarian fibroma in a 15 year old female: case report and literature review

Abstract

Aim: To highlight the potential for misdiagnosis of ovarian fibromas and need for careful evaluation especially when fertility altering decisions need to be taken in the young adolescent. Presentation of Case: The authors here review literature and present the case of a 15 year old pre menarchal patient with bilateral, solid hard ovarian tumors with marked ascites, who had bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, in whom the tumors turned out to be bilateral calcific ovarian fibromas. Discussion: Ovarian neoplasia are often misdiagnosed because of their non-specific symptoms and similarities to other pathologies on radiological imaging. The management of adolescents with ovarian tumors poses peculiar challenges as there is need for a balance between the risk of malignancy and the need to preserve fertility. About 1/3 of pelvic masses in pre-pubertal girls are malignant. This fact in addition to the non-specific features of malignancy in this patient such as weight loss, ascites, necessitated further evaluation which included laparotomy. Conclusion: Ovarian fibromas occur in adolescents and can pose a diagnostic dilemma; a high index of suspicion is required to plan fertility-sparing and cancer-limiting management.