uhrad.com - Women's Diagnostic Imaging Teaching Files

Case Fourteen - Dermoid cyst.

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Clinical History: 21-year-old woman with a palpable right adnexal mass.

Findings: Radiologic Findings: A 5 cm., rounded, lucent mass with a globular calcification in the configuration of a tooth is noted in the right aspect of the pelvis.

Diagnosis: Dermoid cyst.

Discussion: Dermoid cyst, also referred as benign cystic teratoma, arises from germ cells of the ovary and it is composed of a combination of well-differentiated ectodetermal, mesodermal and endodermal elements such as skin, hair, teeth and fat.

Dermoid cyst is the most common type of germ cell tumor. It represents 25% of all ovarian tumors. The majority occur during the reproductive years. Malignant degeneration is seen in 1-2%.

References:
WAD Anderson (ed). Pathology 6th edition. CV Mosby Co.
St. Louis, 1971. PP 1544-1545.

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Submitted by:
Nina Klein, M.D.