Leydig-cell tumor of the ovary: visualization using 131I-19-iodocholesterol scintigraphy

A Leydig (Hilus)-cell tumor of the ovary was diagnosed in a 54-year-old woman with severe hirsutism and virilization. This case is unique in that it was diagnosed in a postmenopausal female 24 years after ovarian irradiation for sterilization, and the tumor was successfully localized preoperatively using 131I-19-iodocholesterol scintigraphy. This nuclear scanning technique may be of use in documenting the biologic activity of ovarian masses and in localizing functioning ovarian tumors which are too small to palpate or to localize by other means.