Ovarian hyperthecosis
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Ovarian hyperthecosis (OHT) is a condition where there is a presence of luteinized thecal cells within a hyperplastic ovarian stroma.
Clinical presentation
Clinical manifestations include hyperandrogenism, obesity, hypertension, and impaired glucose tolerance. Virilization has been reported to be more common in premenopausal women, whereas oestrogenic effects seem more common in postmenopausal women.
Pathology
The ovarian stroma is at least moderately hyperplastic and has luteinized thecal cells which may occur as single cells, small nests, or occasionally nodules.
OHTOvarian hyperthecosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are manifestations of the same heterogeneous disturbance of androgen metabolism. Histopathological differentiation between PCOS and OHTovarian hyperthecosis exists in the location of luteinized thecal cells. In OHTvarian hyperthecosis they exist within the stroma and in PCOS they exist along the periphery of the follicle.
Laboratory findings
Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) isare the first hormones to be measured. Testosterone levels are nearly always above the postmenopausal range and are higher than the levels observed in PCOS. Imaging of the adrenal glands and ovaries is warranted if the serum total testosterone level is >150 ng/dL.
Associations
endometrial carcinoma probably due to increased androgen production by luteinized thecal cells, which then serve as precursors for oestrogen production
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
Variable appearance but most ovaries appear normal. They may have a nodular appearance. Increased ovarian size with increase in the ovarian stroma may also be seen; however, unlike PCOS the number of follicles tend to be normal. The ovarian size is increased beyond the expected limits in postmenopausal women.
MRI
Role of MRI is yet to be proven. Symmetric bilateral ovarian enlargement, with homogeneous T2-hypointensity and mild enhancement of the ovaries, may be seen.
A CT or MRI of the adrenals is important for women with high levels of DHEA-S.
Treatment and prognosis
postmenopausal women: bilateral oophorectomy is suggested; however, if the patient has multiple comorbidities, then long-term GnRH agonist treatment may be an option when malignancy has been excluded
premenopausal women: treatment is the same as for PCOS; once malignancy has been excluded
Differential diagnosis
polycystic ovarian syndrome: may have a similar appearance, but with multiple numbers of small follicles
-<p><strong>Ovarian hyperthecosis (OHT)</strong> is a condition where there is a presence of luteinized thecal cells within a hyperplastic ovarian stroma.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Clinical manifestations include hyperandrogenism, <a href="/articles/obesity">obesity</a>, <a href="/articles/hypertension">hypertension</a>, and impaired glucose tolerance. Virilization has been reported to be more common in premenopausal women, whereas oestrogenic effects seem more common in postmenopausal women.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The ovarian stroma is at least moderately hyperplastic and has luteinized thecal cells which may occur as single cells, small nests, or occasionally nodules.</p><p>OHT and <a href="/articles/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-1">polycystic ovarian syndrome</a> (PCOS) are manifestations of the same heterogeneous disturbance of androgen metabolism. Histopathological differentiation between PCOS and OHT exists in the location of luteinized thecal cells. In OHT they exist within the stroma and in PCOS they exist along the periphery of the follicle.</p><h5>Laboratory findings</h5><p>Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) is the first hormones to be measured. Testosterone levels are nearly always above the postmenopausal range and are higher than the levels observed in PCOS. Imaging of the <a href="/articles/adrenal-gland">adrenal glands</a> and <a href="/articles/ovaries">ovaries</a> is warranted if the serum total testosterone level is >150 ng/dL.</p><h5>Associations</h5><ul>-<li><a href="/articles/endometrial-hyperplasia-1">endometrial hyperplasia</a></li>-<li>-<a href="/articles/endometrial-carcinoma">endometrial carcinoma</a> probably due to increased androgen production by luteinized thecal cells, which then serve as precursors for oestrogen production</li>-<li><a href="/articles/ovarian-fibrothecoma">ovarian fibrothecoma</a></li>- +<p><strong>Ovarian hyperthecosis</strong> is a condition where there is a presence of luteinized thecal cells within a hyperplastic ovarian stroma.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Clinical manifestations include hyperandrogenism, <a href="/articles/obesity">obesity</a>, <a href="/articles/hypertension">hypertension</a>, and impaired glucose tolerance. Virilization has been reported to be more common in premenopausal women, whereas oestrogenic effects seem more common in postmenopausal women.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The ovarian stroma is at least moderately hyperplastic and has luteinized thecal cells which may occur as single cells, small nests, or occasionally nodules.</p><p>Ovarian hyperthecosis and <a href="/articles/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-1" title="PCOS">polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)</a> are manifestations of the same heterogeneous disturbance of androgen metabolism. Histopathological differentiation between PCOS and ovarian hyperthecosis exists in the location of luteinized thecal cells. In varian hyperthecosis they exist within the stroma and in PCOS they exist along the periphery of the follicle.</p><h5>Laboratory findings</h5><p>Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA-S) are the first hormones to be measured. Testosterone levels are nearly always above the postmenopausal range and are higher than the levels observed in PCOS. Imaging of the <a href="/articles/adrenal-gland">adrenal glands</a> and <a href="/articles/ovary">ovaries</a> is warranted if the serum total testosterone level is >150 ng/dL.</p><h5>Associations</h5><ul>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/endometrial-hyperplasia-1">endometrial hyperplasia</a></p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/endometrial-carcinoma">endometrial carcinoma</a> probably due to increased androgen production by luteinized thecal cells, which then serve as precursors for oestrogen production</p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/ovarian-fibrothecoma">ovarian fibrothecoma</a></p></li>
-<li>postmenopausal women: bilateral oophorectomy is suggested; however, if the patient has multiple comorbidities, then long-term GnRH agonist treatment may be an option when malignancy has been excluded</li>-<li>premenopausal women: treatment is the same as for PCOS; once malignancy has been excluded</li>- +<li><p>postmenopausal women: bilateral oophorectomy is suggested; however, if the patient has multiple comorbidities, then long-term GnRH agonist treatment may be an option when malignancy has been excluded</p></li>
- +<li><p>premenopausal women: treatment is the same as for PCOS; once malignancy has been excluded</p></li>
-<li>-<a href="/articles/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-1">polycystic ovarian syndrome</a>: may have a similar appearance, but with multiple numbers of small follicles</li>-<li><a href="/articles/ovarian-fibroma">ovarian fibroma</a></li>- +<li><p><a href="/articles/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-1">polycystic ovarian syndrome</a>: may have a similar appearance, but with multiple numbers of small follicles</p></li>
- +<li><p><a href="/articles/ovarian-fibroma">ovarian fibroma</a></p></li>
References changed:
- 1. Beksac S, Selçuk I, Boyraz G, Güner G, Turgal M, Usubutun A. Two Patients with Marginal Symptoms Showing Hyperthecosis at the Edge of Malignancy: Presentation of Two Cases. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2013;14(3):182-5. <a href="https://doi.org/10.5152/jtgga.2013.88964">doi:10.5152/jtgga.2013.88964</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24592101">Pubmed</a>
- 2. Rousset P, Gompel A, Christin-Maitre S et al. Ovarian Hyperthecosis on Grayscale and Color Doppler Ultrasound. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008;32(5):694-9. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/uog.6131">doi:10.1002/uog.6131</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18792416">Pubmed</a>
- 3. Goldman J & Kapadia L. Virilization in a Postmenopausal Woman Due to Ovarian Stromal Hyperthecosis. Postgrad Med J. 1991;67(785):304-6. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.67.785.304">doi:10.1136/pgmj.67.785.304</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2062784">Pubmed</a>
- 1. Beksac S, Selçuk I, Boyraz G et-al. Two patients with marginal symptoms showing hyperthecosis at the edge of malignancy: Presentation of two cases. J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc. 2013;14 (3): 182-5. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.5152/jtgga.2013.88964">doi:10.5152/jtgga.2013.88964</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3928419">Free text at pubmed</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24592101">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
- 2. Rousset P, Gompel A, Christin-Maitre S et-al. Ovarian hyperthecosis on grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008;32 (5): 694-9. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/uog.6131">doi:10.1002/uog.6131</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18792416">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
- 3. Goldman JM, Kapadia LJ. Virilization in a postmenopausal woman due to ovarian stromal hyperthecosis. Postgrad Med J. 1991;67 (785): 304-6. <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2399029">Free text at pubmed</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2062784">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
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