[Ovarian tumour in a girl with chronic abdominal pain and distension]

Abstract

A 12-year-old girl presented with chronic abdominal pain and distension that had persisted for 6 and 3 months, respectively. The cause was a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour originating in the left ovary. The cyst and ovary were resected. The patient recovered and was asymptomatic 2 years after the operation. Ovarian tumours are rarely seen in children. The sex cordstromal tumours constitute a heterogeneous subgroup. Two of the most frequently observed sex cord-stromal tumours are the juvenile granulosa cell tumour and the Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour. Even though these tumours may contain histologically malignant characteristics, their behaviour is usually benign. Clinical characteristics are endocrine symptoms, fatigue, chronic abdominal pain and abdominal distension. In addition, pressure from the tumour mass may result in symptoms in adjacent organ systems. Surgical excision is usually curative. Patients with advanced disease may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. Chronic abdominal pain is frequently observed in children and, in some rare cases, may be caused by ovarian tumours.