Asymptomatic Auto Amputation of Normal Ovary

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Pathology
• Surgical Case Reports
• Abdominal Imaging

Background:

• Free-floating intraperitoneal masses are uncommon, with ovarian origins being most frequent.
• Ovarian auto-amputation, often asymptomatic, is an exceedingly rare condition.
• Causes of ovarian auto-amputation include torsion or inflammation, leading to incidental diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of asymptomatic ovarian auto-amputation presenting as a free-floating intraperitoneal mass.
• To discuss the diagnostic considerations and surgical implications of this rare pathology.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of a 50-year-old female with postmenopausal bleeding.
• Intraoperative finding of a free-floating right ovary during hysterectomy preparation.
• Clinical suspicion based on the presence of an unexplained free-floating mass and absence of a visualized ovary.

Main Results:

• An auto-amputated right ovary was identified as a free-floating intraperitoneal mass.
• The patient presented with postmenopausal bleeding, necessitating hysterectomy.
• The diagnosis was incidental, discovered during the surgical procedure.

Conclusions:

• Ovarian auto-amputation is a rare cause of free-floating intraperitoneal masses.
• Surgical exploration should consider the possibility of auto-amputated adnexa when encountering unexplained free-floating masses.
• This case underscores the importance of comprehensive intraoperative assessment in gynecologic surgery.