PELVIC VENOUS DILATATION MIMICKING AN ADNEXAL MASS IN A POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMAN

With the increasing use of expectant or laparoscopic management of cys tic adnexal masses in postmenopausal women, adequate preoperative eval uation and assessment of malignant potential assume a critical role. U ltrasonography has become a cornerstone in this evaluation process. We describe a case of ultrasonographically identified bilateral cystic a dnexal masses that at laparoscopy appeared to be massively dilated pel vic varicosities. In a postmenopausal patient, especially if a prior h istory of venous stasis is elicited, pelvic varicosities should be con sidered in the differential diagnosis of ultrasonographically diagnose d cystic adnexal masses.