Open AccessOvarian Teratomas: Tumor Types and Imaging Characteristics
Author(s) -
Eric K. Outwater,
Evan S. Siegelman,
Jennifer L. Hunt
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
radiographics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1527-1323
pISSN - 0271-5333
DOI - 10.1148/radiographics.21.2.g01mr09475
Subject(s) - struma ovarii , medicine , ovarian teratoma , magnetic resonance imaging , calcification , teratoma , echogenicity , pathology , immature teratoma , radiology , thyroid , ultrasonography , germ cell tumors , chemotherapy
Ovarian teratomas include mature cystic teratomas (dermoid cysts), immature teratomas, and monodermal teratomas (eg, struma ovarii, carcinoid tumors, neural tumors). Most mature cystic teratomas can be diagnosed at ultrasonography (US) but may have a variety of appearances, characterized by echogenic sebaceous material and calcification. At computed tomography (CT), fat attenuation within a cyst is diagnostic. At magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, the sebaceous component is specifically identified with fat-saturation techniques. The US appearances of immature teratoma are nonspecific, although the tumors are typically heterogeneous, partially solid lesions, usually with scattered calcifications. At CT and MR imaging, immature teratomas characteristically have a large, irregular solid component containing coarse calcifications. Small foci of fat help identify these tumors. The US features of struma ovarii are also nonspecific, but a heterogeneous, predominantly solid mass may be seen. On T1- and T2-weighted images, the cystic spaces demonstrate both high and low signal intensity. Familiarity with the US, CT, and MR imaging features of ovarian teratomas can aid in differentiation and diagnosis.