Conservative surgery in the management of a benign ovarian cystic teratoma presenting as a rectal mass: a case report

Abstract

Ovarian cystic teratomas constitute 10-15% of all ovarian tumours and are the most common ovarian neoplasms found in adolescence and during pregnancy. Nevertheless, ovarian cystic teratomas have also been described in patients aged 1-91 years. We report an unusual case of a benign ovarian cystic teratoma presenting as a rectal mass that was managed surgically using radical resection by a multidisciplinary team. This case report highlights the importance of preoperative investigations including colonoscopy and radiological investigations. A dedicated pelvic radiologist/pathologist and the involvement of a multidisciplinary team at the time of initial diagnosis and a gynaecologist and colorectal surgeon at the time of surgery will lead to an accurate diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment. Although rare, erosion of an ovarian dermoid into the rectum should be considered in young women who have an atypical presentation and are found to have a lesion in the rectum with biopsies indicating benign pathology.

Figure 1

Colonoscopy view of the rectal mass

Figure 2

Computed tomography showing the cystic mass

Figure 3

The cystic mass and left ovary following resection

Figure 4

Haematoxylin and eosin stain of the ovary (20x magnification)