Massive ovarian edema. Four cases and some pathogenetic considerations

Four cases of massive ovarian edema (MOE) with symptoms persisting for 6 months and even up to 4 years are presented. No stromal changes other than edema were found histologically, and no functional anomalies were detected clinically. The reported cases are compared with the published data on MOE with stromal changes (fibromatosis, thecal hyperplasia, luteinization), concluding that there are at least two types of MOE: primary (without concomitant pathology), and secondary (superimposed on already altered ovaries).