Sonographic and Clinicopathological Characterization of Struma Ovarii: A Retrospective Analysis for Enhanced Preoperative Diagnosis.

Abstract

Introduction: Struma ovarii (SO) is a rare ovarian teratoma composed predominantly of thyroid tissue, often misdiagnosed due to its non-specific clinical manifestations and low prevalence.

Methods: The ultrasound and clinical features of 16 histologically confirmed cases of SO (mean age 45 ± 10 years) were analyzed. Key ultrasound parameters evaluated included tumor size, internal echo patterns, calcification, blood flow (Adler grading), and pelvic effusion.

Results: Half of patients with SO have been found to be postmenopausal women over 50 years of age, and that most tumors are discovered incidentally during routine examination. The large cystic components with regular margins, accompanied by calcified and vascularized solid elements, are ultrasound characteristics of SO. In particular, the presence of calcification and distinct vascular patterns on Doppler imaging (as per Adler classification) has been identified as a critical marker distinguishing SO from other adnexal masses.

Discussion: Compared to existing SO research, this study has found the ultrasound characteristics of SO to mostly manifest as a large cystic echo, regular boundaries, and calcification. At the same time, compared to the existing imaging techniques, such as CT and MRI, characteristic ultrasonography has been found to be a good complement to the diagnosis of SO.

Conclusion: When an adnexal tumor is classified as O-RADS 3-5 and exhibits features, such as a large cystic echo, regular boundaries, and calcification, SO should be considered in the differential diagnosis. These findings can enhance the accuracy of preoperative assessment, facilitate individualized surgical planning, and contribute to improved clinical management by reducing the likelihood of misdiagnosis.