https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1118-4066
Abstract
Purpose
Meigs’ syndrome is a rare gynecological disease characterized by the triad of benign ovarian tumor, ascites, and pleural effusion. Ovarian malignancies should be highly suspected in a postmenopausal woman with a pelvic mass, ascites, hydrothorax, and an elevated carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) level. It can be challenging to make a preoperative diagnosis of Meigs’ syndrome. In this report, we present a case of Meigs’ syndrome caused by an ovarian fibrothecoma and review the relevant literature to raise awareness and avoid misdiagnosis.
Case Presentation
An 82-year-old woman with a 2-week history of abdominal distension was admitted to the Department of Gynecology. Ultrasound and thoracoabdominal computed tomography scans showed a left-sided hypoechoic mass in the pelvic cavity with bilateral pleural effusion and massive ascites. The CA125 concentration was 1040 U/mL (normal, 0–35 U/mL). With a working diagnosis of ovarian malignancy, the patient underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle puncture of the pelvic mass and paracentesis to drain the ascites. The fine-needle puncture and paracentesis fluid analysis results revealed that the ascites did not contain any tumor cells, and the pelvic mass was identified as a spindle cell tumor. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that it was a sex-cord stromal tumor. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy were performed under general anesthesia. The pathology results confirmed the mass to have been an ovarian fibrothecoma. At the 2-month postoperative follow-up, the ascites and hydrothorax had resolved and not recurred, and the CA125 level was normal.
Conclusion
Despite the high suspicion of ovarian carcinoma in postmenopausal women presenting with pelvic mass, ascites, pleural effusion, and elevated CA125, Meigs’ syndrome should be considered.
Abbreviations
CA125, carbohydrate antigen 125; CT, computed tomography.
Ethical Statement
All procedures of the research conformed to the Declaration of Helsinki and the Institutional and/or National Research Council ethical standards. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and the accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available upon request.
Ethics Approval and Informed Consent
Writing and publishing this case report was approved by Rizhao People’s Hospital.
Consent for Publication
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and the accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available upon request.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express gratitude to the doctors in the Imaging Department and Pathology Department of Rizhao People’s Hospital for their assistance.
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The author(s) report no conflicts of interest in this work.