Virilization, Ovarian Hyperthecosis, and Torsion Masquerading as Malignancy: A Case Report

Premenopausal females with signs of androgen excess and oligomenorrhea are commonly evaluated for polycystic ovarian syndrome or for an androgen-secreting tumor if a pelvic mass is present. Ovarian hyperthecosis (OHT) as a cause of these symptoms in adolescents is rare.

A 15 year-old female with primary amenorrhea and signs of virilization was referred to Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology after pelvic imaging demonstrated a pelvic mass, suspected to be arising from the right ovary, and an adjacent paratubal cyst. Preoperative laboratory evaluation revealed markedly elevated testosterone levels (free testosterone 81.5 pg/mL [normal <7.5 pg/mL]; total testosterone 279.6 ng/mL [normal <52.0 ng/mL]). Ovarian tumor markers were otherwise normal. Surgical evaluation revealed bilaterally enlarged ovaries and right paratubal cyst with right ovarian torsion. Rather than demonstrating an androgen-secreting tumor, pathologic evaluation following right salpingo-oophorectomy resulted in an unexpected diagnosis of OHT.

Our case demonstrates that OHT should be considered in the differential in the setting of a large pelvic mass and virilization in an adolescent.