Imaging spectrum of teratomas from head to toe with special emphasis on complications

Teratomas fall under a broader category of germ cell tumors and can occur nearly in any organ in the body. They may present in an asymptomatic manner or with a sinister complication. Few of the common complications associated with teratomas include torsion, rupture, hemorrhage, secondary infection, and malignant transformation. This article reviews the characteristic imaging appearances of teratomas on different imaging modalities, focusing particularly on various emergency presentations of teratomas including uncommon but clinically relevant complications like autoimmune encephalitis, the importance of timely identification of these complications and current standard of care in a nutshell.