Ovarian Leydig Cell Tumor Associated with Recurrent Torsion and Virilization in an Adolescent Patient

Authors

Lauren Roth, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bridgeport Hospital, Yale New Haven Health, New Haven, Connecticut. Electronic address: lauren.roth@bpthosp.org.
Anne K. Smith, Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Natalia Buza, Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.Follow
Barbara Coons, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
David Stitelman, Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Alla Vash-Margita, Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of pediatric and adolescent gynecology

Abstract

Ovarian tumors are rare in children; however, their incidence increases with age. Of these ovarian tumors, Leydig cell tumors are some of the rarest, accounting for less than 0.1% of all ovarian tumors across all ages. Leydig cell tumors predominantly occur in postmenopausal women and are characterized by nodular proliferation of Leydig cells in the ovarian hilum with intracytoplasmic Reinke crystals. These tumors secrete androgens, which can disrupt ovarian function, clinically presenting with abnormal uterine bleeding and virilization. Although they are generally benign, current recommendations are for treatment with a unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. In adolescents, hyperandrogenism is most commonly caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); however, the differential for hyperandrogenism is broad. We present a case of a 15-year-old girl with a history of primary amenorrhea who presented with a Leydig cell tumor associated with recurrent ovarian torsion and virilization. This case reviews the challenges with diagnosis, management, and future implications of a rare androgen-secreting tumor in young patients.

First Page

217

Last Page

219

DOI

10.1016/j.jpag.2023.11.014

Publication Date

4-1-2024

Recommended Citation

Roth, Lauren; Smith, Anne K.; Buza, Natalia; Coons, Barbara; Stitelman, David; and Vash-Margita, Alla, "Ovarian Leydig Cell Tumor Associated with Recurrent Torsion and Virilization in an Adolescent Patient" (2024). All Research. 12.
https://scholar.bridgeporthospital.org/all_research/12

Identifier

38110028 (pubmed); 10.1016/j.jpag.2023.11.014 (doi); S1083-3188(23)00452-7 (pii)