Mb. Mccarville et al., Secondary ovarian neoplasms in children: imaging features with histopathologic correlation, PEDIAT RAD, 31(5), 2001, pp. 358-364
Background. Although the pathologic features and imaging appearance of chil
dhood primary ovarian neoplasms have been well described, little informatio
n is available about the malignancies that may secondarily involve the ovar
y.
Objective. To determine the relationship between the imaging features and t
he histopathology of secondary ovarian neoplasms in children treated at our
institution.
Materials and methods. We searched our institutional database for codes ind
icating metastatic ovarian disease. Of the 35 patients with such codes, 18
had pathologically proven secondary ovarian disease. From their medical rec
ords we recorded demographic data, presenting symptoms, and evidence, of en
docrine dysfunction. We reviewed the pre-oophorectomy imaging and the subse
quent pathologic specimens.
Results. One-third of the patients had bilateral pelvic masses: another thi
rd had large masses indistinguishable from the ovaries, Twelve (67 %) had e
ither ascites, peritoneal implants, matted bowel, adenopathy, pleural effus
ions. or some combination of these. Five (28 %) had other metastatic diseas
e. Primary tumors included colon adenocarcinoma (9), Burkitt's lymphoma (3)
, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (3), Wilms' tumor(l), neuroblastoma (1), and re
tinoblastoma (1),
Conclusion. Although rare, secondary ovarian tumors should be considered in
the differential diagnosis of children with ovarian masses. Bilateral ovar
ian masses or large masses indistinguishable from the ovaries. particularly
in the presence of ether metastatic foci. may help distinguish primary fr
arn secondary ovarian malignancies.