Retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma resected by laparoscopic surgery: A case report

Abstract

  Retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma is relatively rare. We report a case that was first diagnosed as an ovarian teratoma by preoperative imaging, but later found to be a retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma by laparoscopic resection. The patient was a 40-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, with history of regular of 28-day menstrual cycles. She had an appendectomy at 14 years of age. She was diagnosed with a right ovarian tumor at another hospital then referred to our hospital. Pelvic MRI showed a 50 mm tumor in the right doral pelvic peritoneum with hyperintensity on T1-weighted images and on fat-suppressed images, suggesting a possible mature cystic teratoma of the right ovary. Laboratory values were normal, except for slightly high CA19-9 (41.8 U/mL). Laparoscopy revealed normal-sized non-swollen ovaries and an approximately 50-mm retroperitoneal tumor in the right pelvis. The retroperitoneum was incised and the tumor was carefully isolated from the surrounding tissues. The tumor was placed in a collection bag and removed through the 12-mm port. The patient was discharged on the third postoperative day in excellent condition. The pathological diagnosis was retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma. In this case, we first suspected an ovarian tumor and performed laparoscopy. However, a retroperitoneal tumor was found and was removed by laparoscopic surgery. Although retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma is rare, it should be considered during preoperative evaluation. This type of tumor may be removed by laparoscopic surgery if it is relatively small with no marked malignancy.