Bilateral Ovarian Leydig Cell Tumors in a Postmenopausal Woman Causing Hirsutism and Virilization

To evaluate a rare case of a postmenopausal woman with hirsutism and virilization due to Leydig cell tumors (LCTs) of both ovaries.

In this challenging case, the diagnostic studies included the detection of total/free testosterone, hemoglobin, and estradiol levels; adrenal computed tomography; and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging.

A 61-year-old woman presented for the evaluation of hirsutism. Physical examination revealed normal vital signs and evidence of virilization. The baseline laboratory findings were hemoglobin level of 16.2 g/dL (reference, 12.0-15.5 g/dL), total testosterone level of 803 ng/dL (reference, 3-41 ng/dL), and free testosterone level of 20.2 pg/mL (reference, 0.0-4.2 pg/mL). Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral homogeneous ovarian enhancement. Based on the magnetic resonance imaging findings and clinical presentation, the patient was diagnosed with ovarian hyperthecosis and underwent laparoscopic bilateral oophorectomy. Pathology confirmed LCTs in both ovaries. Six months later, testosterone levels normalized, with significant improvement in hirsutism and virilization.

Clinicians should be aware of androgen-secreting tumors, including rare bilateral LCTs in postmenopausal women presenting with progressing hirsutism and virilization. Marked hyperandrogenemia with total testosterone level of >150 ng/dL (5.2 nmol/L) or serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate level of >700 μg/dL (21.7 mmol/L) is typically found. It should be recognized that diffuse stromal Leydig cell hyperplasia and small LCTs may be missed on imaging, and in some cases only pathology can confirm the result.