Abstract
An immature teratoma is a rare ovarian tumor of germ cell origin; it occurs in 1% of malignant ovarian tumors and only 1-2% of ovarian teratomas. The frequency is higher among younger women; however, it is difficult to distinguish from a mature cystic teratoma preoperatively. When a patient suffers an acute abdomen, laparoscopic surgery is a treatment option. We report two cases of an immature teratoma that were diagnosed after laparoscopic surgery for an acute abdomen.
Case 1: A 28-year-old gravida 0 visited a local physician who diagnosed an acute abdomen and a 7 cm ovarian tumor. The patient was referred to our facility. Because CT and MRI indicated a rupture of a left ovarian teratoma, an emergency surgery was performed on the day of admission to remove the left ovarian tumor. Postoperatively, the pathologic diagnosis was an immature teratoma, grade 1, stage I c (a).
Case 2: A 40-year -old gravida 0 presented with the chief complaints of abdominal distension and right lower back pain. Because a 12 cm right ovarian tumor was found, and it was suspected to be a twisted ovarian teratoma, an emergency surgery was performed to excise the ovarian tumor together with the left adnexa, which was twisted 360 degrees. Postoperatively, the pathologic diagnosis was an immature teratoma, grade 1, stage I c (b).
Eighteen months postoperatively, no evidence of recurrence has been found in either case.
