Abstract
Struma ovarii is often a retrospective diagnosis. Medical endocrinologists usually make the diagnosis after failed ablative therapy and gynecologists typically make the diagnosis after a pathology report has been returned on a patient who has undergone exploratory surgery for a pelvic mass. The professional literature has historically described hormonal activity in struma ovarii with antiquated animal models and clinical symptomatology. There are a paucity of data describing the hormone profile of struma ovarii using modern hormone assays such as sensitive thyrotropin and free T4. We present 2 cases of struma ovarii with modern hormonal characterization. Fourteen (14) additional cases are identified. Characterization of the hormone profile on symptomatic or asymptomatic patients may facilitate the diagnosis and treatment of struma ovarii. Struma ovarii should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with adnexal masses.
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