“Sex Cord Stromal Tumor Masquerading as Broad Ligament Fibroid in a Postmenopausal Woman: Lessons Learned from a Case Report”

Abstract

Background:: Ovarian fibromas are sex cord-stromal tumors accounting for 4% of all ovarian tumors. They are benign, solid ovarian tumors commonly encountered in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. They are usually asymptomatic or present with vague symptoms like abdominal pain. This makes their pre-operative diagnosis difficult. Case Report:: The present case report briefs the finding of ovarian fibroma in a 59-year-old postmenopausal woman presenting with dull aching lower abdominal pain, misdiagnosed as broad ligament fibroid on ultrasonography and malignant ovarian mass on MRI. She underwent exploratory laparotomy with total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Intraoperative findings included a right-sided smooth, solid, freely mobile ovarian mass of size 4x5 cm, uterus and left ovary were atrophic, with healthy bilateral fallopian tubes. Her histopathology report revealed ovarian fibroma with minimal nuclear atypia. Conclusion:: Ovarian fibromas are common benign solid ovarian tumors, that are difficult to diagnose pre-operatively, and often confused with uterine or broad ligament fibroids due to their similar clinical and radiological presentations. Hence, the clinician should keep ovarian fibromas as one of the differentials in the diagnosis of solid adnexal masses mimicking broad ligament fibroids.