Laparoscopic removal of virilizing hilar cell tumor in a postmenopausal patient

A postmenopausal woman experienced rapidly progressing hirsutism and signs of virilization. Hormone evaluations showed markedly elevated serum testosterone levels and no evidence of excess cortisol or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate production. A computerized tomographic scan of the adrenals and ovaries was normal, and transvaginal ultrasound revealed a left ovary with a maximum diameter of 3.2 cm. At outpatient laparoscopic bilateral oophorectomy, the left ovary had a benign, 2.5-cm Leydig cell tumor, hilar cell variant. Laparoscopy may be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of select cases of virilizing tumors of the ovary.