Unilateral tuboovarian autoamputation

Six cases of unilateral tuboovarian absence are reviewed. In four, the peritoneal cavity contained a separate ovoid structure. In two of these, the pathologist could identify the remnant as a phagocytized ovary. In a third patient, the ovoid body was seen fixed to the contralateral ovary during laparoscopy. Subsequently, it was identified radiologically as a calcific density. In the fourth case, an intact ovary was separated from the uterus and engulfed by omentum. If a total embryogenic error or selective dysgenesis of the urogenital fold occurs, ipsilateral anomalies usually involve adjacent structures of both the urinary and genital systems. Howerver, no anomalies of the uterus and urinary structures appeared evident in any reviewed case. Therefore, adnexal torsion with subsequent infarction necrosis and autoamputation represents the most likely explanation for this phenomenon.