Pseudo Tumours of Ovary: Saga of Mistaken Identity

Ovarian masses present commonly to OPD because of increased awareness of patients and easy availability of imaging. There are so many overlaps in symptoms and signs (imaging and tumour markers) of these masses that it is very difficult to distinguish there benign or malignant nature. Often mistaken as malignant masses, an aggressive radical surgery is done adding to the morbidity. To highlight difficulties and dilemmas, we present our experience of managing five such cases.

Patient 1 presented a diagnostic dilemma of infective vs malignant ovarian mass. Patient 2 was a girl who had very large ovarian mass suspecting it to be malignant; however, it came out to be a benign ovarian torsion. Patient 3 had likely ovarian carcinoma; however, history and examination revealed it to be tuberculosis. Patient 4 had bilateral ovarian solid mass, which was found to be tuberculosis. Lastly, patient 5 was a rare case of xanthogranulomatous oophoritis with pregnancy.

Pseudo-tumours of ovary are rare entities which create confusion regarding them being benign or malignant masses. Careful history, examination, imaging and histopath can guide correct treatment modality thus avoiding unnecessary radical surgeries in young patients who require future fertility.