[The so-called massive edema of the ovary. A case report and review of the literature (author's transl)].

One case of massive ovarian edema is reported in addition to other 20 cases published in the literature. A 17-year-old nulligravida girl had severe abdominal pain of 2 hours' duration. On laparotomy, the right ovary was enlarged and oophorectomy was performed. The ovary measured 5 x 7 cm. The external surface was gray and blue. Cut surfaces showed a soft, watery brown and yellow tissue without distinct tumoral mass. Microscopically, there was a diffuse interstitial edema of the ovarian stroma, a dilatation of lymphatic and venous channels with preservation of ovarian structures. The cause of massive ovarian edema remains unclear. The most probable explanation is partial torsion, possibly recurrent, of the mesovarium with an impairment of the lymphatic and venous drainage. Since this nonneoplastic lesion occurs in children and young women, it should be recognized at the time of laparotomy and treated conservatively.