Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 19, Issue 12 877-881, Copyright © 2000 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Luteoma of pregnancy: sonographic findings in two cases
J. R. Choi, D. Levine and H. Finberg
Department of Radiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Luteoma of pregnancy is a rare nonneoplastic tumor-like mass of the ovary
that emerges during pregnancy and regresses spontaneously after delivery.
It is usually asymptomatic and is found incidentally during a cesarean
section or postpartum tubal ligation. However, luteomas can be hormonally
active, with production of androgens resulting in maternal and fetal
hirsutism and virilization. Less than 200 cases have been described in the
literature, and none in radiologic journals. Recognition of this entity is
important so that unnecessary oophorectomy, with concomitant risk to both
the patient and the fetus, is avoided. In this report, we describe two
cases of luteoma of pregnancy. The first case documents sequential
ultrasonographic demonstration of a presumed luteoma of pregnancy in a
patient who was seen with hirsutism during a second trimester pregnancy.
The luteoma, serum androgen levels, and patient's condition improved after
delivery. This case is unique in that although the mass significantly
decreased in size post partum, it continued to be visualized 14 months post
partum. The second case illustrates the pronounced cystic appearance that
these classically described solid lesions can demonstrate because of
extensive necrosis.
