Detection of an inguinal ovary at controlled ovarian stimulation that was successfully treated by repositioning

Abstract

Objective: To report a rare case of an ectopic ovary placed in the inguinal canal that was detected while performing a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH).

Design: Case report.

Setting: A university hospital.

Patient(s): A couple with primary infertility for 4 years was referred to our infertility clinic. The woman's medical history revealed a left inguinal operation at age 7. On vaginal ultrasound, only the right ovary could be seen. An infertility workup conducted for the man revealed teratospermia. The couple was subsequently admitted to the in vitro fertilization (IVF) program. While having a COH, the woman experienced a painful swelling in the inguinal area, and an ovarian image with follicular growth on the left inguinal region was observed with ultrasound. Afterward, surgery was performed, and the ectopic ovary in the left inguinal region was detected.

Intervention(s): Detection of an inguinal ovary with a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation procedure and surgical repositioning of the ectopic ovary.

Main outcome measure(s): Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, transabdominal ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound.

Result(s): The ectopic ovary was successfully repositioned with surgery.

Conclusion(s): Patients must be closely monitored while performing COH. In patients who do not have a unilateral ovary, a painful inguinal mass should alert the physician to the possible presence of an ectopic ovary in the inguinal canal.