Postmenopausal virilization, simple ovarian cyst, and hilus cell hyperplasia--is there an association?

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of virilizing ovarian hilus cell hyperplasia detected postmenopausally in association with a simple cyst and to review the related literature, including four similar cases.

METHODS

Hormonal and pathologic studies were conducted, and ovarian venous catheterization was performed during total abdominal hysterectomy.

RESULTS

In our 69-year-old female patient, serum testosterone levels were 508, >3,200, and 11 ng/dL, respectively, in peripheral blood preoperatively, in ovarian venous blood obtained intraoperatively, and in peripheral blood postoperatively. The wall of the cyst contained several clusters of hilus cells, which were also found asymmetrically lateralized to the affected ovary.

CONCLUSION

Hilus cell hyperplasia should be suspected in any case of postmenopausal virilization in which ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging suggests the presence of a simple ovarian cyst.