Predictors of ovarian malignancy in children: Overcoming clinical barriers of ovarian preservation

Background/Purpose

Ovarian preservation is desirable in girls with benign ovarian masses. We aimed to 1) identify clinical predictors of malignant ovarian masses, 2) investigate how often ovarian tissue is present to preserve in benign masses, and 3) identify factors associated with successful ovarian preservation.

Methods

Retrospective analysis (1997–2012) of girls age 1–18 years with an ovarian mass managed operatively. Data on presenting symptoms, imaging, biochemical markers, treatment, outcome, and pathology were extracted.

Results

We identified 150 patients. Large mass size, solid components, and elevated tumor markers (AFP, βHCG, and/or LDH) were significantly predictive of malignancy. All masses < 10 cm, predominantly cystic, and with negative tumor markers were benign. Masses with all three of these characteristics would decrease a 20% malignancy pretest probability to a posttest probability of 0.25%. Benign masses managed by oophorectomy contained normal ovarian tissue in 76% of the specimens. For benign masses, successful ovarian preservation was significantly associated with size < 10 cm, predominantly cystic, laparoscopy, and absence of torsion or calcifications.

Conclusion

Ovarian masses that are < 10 cm, primarily cystic, and have negative tumor markers are most likely benign. Viable ovarian tissue is frequently present in benign masses, so significant efforts should be made for ovarian preservation.     

Ovarian torsion. Management and ovarian prognosis: a report of 45 cases

Background/Purpose

Ovarian torsion in childhood and adolescence is a rare entity. Traditionally, treatment is oophorectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian outcome and to propose a decision-making protocol for suspected ovarian torsion.

Methods

Between January 1986 and December 2007, 45 ovarian torsion cases in 40 girls were operated on. In all the cases, when the ovary was preserved, patients were clinically and ultrasonographically followed up for several months.

Results

Median age was 11 years. Median delay between the first symptoms and surgical procedure was 3 days. There was a statistical difference (P = .0003) between the mean of the largest diameter of twisted normal ovary and the mean of the largest diameter of twisted diseased ovary. Underlying pathology was benign in 22 cases and low-grade malignancy in 2 (one grade II immature teratoma and one steroid cell tumor). Conservative management was performed in 26 cases. At follow-up, 17 ovaries were follicular, 7 being black-bluish during surgery.

Conclusions

Conservative approach after detorsion of black-bluish ovaries is safe and effective in children. Although very unlikely, the fear of missing malignancy must incite to proceed with caution and can lead, when the size of the twisted ovary is greater than 75 mm, to prefer laparotomy to laparoscopy.     

Premenarchal patients present differently: A twist on the typical patient presenting with ovarian torsion

Background/PurposeThe aim of this study was to characterize differences between pre- and postmenarchal females with ovarian torsion.MethodsA single-center review was conducted of all nonneonatal pediatric patients with ovarian torsion from 2011 to 2018. Clinical data were compared between pre- and postmenarchal patients.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-seven patients were identified, and 25% were premenarchal. Premenarchal patients were more likely to have a delay in diagnosis (38% vs 20%, p = 0.042), develop ovarian necrosis (34% vs 17%, p = 0.036), and present without an associated adnexal mass (44% vs 0%, p < 0.001). All patients without a mass (n = 14) were premenarchal and presented with ovarian asymmetry. Patients without an associated mass underwent oophoropexy in the majority of cases. There were no differences in postoperative complication or recurrence rates between groups.ConclusionPremenarchal females with ovarian torsion can present differently than females postmenarche and often have a delay in diagnosis. Premenarchal females are more likely to undergo torsion without an associated adnexal mass and are at higher risk for ovarian necrosis. Oophoropexy is an appropriate treatment in the absence of an adnexal mass. A high-index of suspicion for ovarian torsion should be maintained for premenarchal females presenting with abdominal pain and an otherwise negative workup.Type of studyRetrospective comparative study.Level of evidenceLevel III.     

Asynchronous bilateral ovarian torsion

Background

Pediatric ovarian torsion (OT) is a serious condition, especially in cases of asynchronous bilateral ovarian torsion (ABOT). The authors sought to evaluate the predisposing factors for ABOT and to evaluate the most appropriate treatment for ovarian torsion.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients with ovarian torsion between 1980 and 2002. Data collected included age at presentation, type and duration of symptoms, ultrasound scan findings, interval to surgery, procedures, pathology report, and follow-up.

Results

Seventy-six patients had adnexal torsion confirmed at surgery, 4 of whom had ABOT. The mean age was 10 years. The mean duration of complaints before hospitalisation and interval to surgery were 56 and 33 hours, respectively. Thirty-five patients had simple tubo-ovarian torsion (46%), including all the patients with ABOT (11.4%), and 41 had an ovarian pathology (54%). All patients with ABOT underwent salpingo-oophorectomy at the first episode. They presented earlier for the second episode and had a shorter interval to surgery where detorsion with oophoropexy was performed. Follow-up ultrasound scan showed perfusion and follicles in the remaining ovary.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of ovarian torsion often is delayed, especially when a solid tumor is suspected. Conservative management should be strongly considered when there is no underlying ovarian pathology. Furthermore, oophoropexy of the ipsilateral and contralateral ovary should be considered to prevent a potentially devastating recurrence.     

Can we preoperatively risk stratify ovarian masses for malignancy?

Purpose

Given a 10% malignancy rate in pediatric ovarian masses, what preoperative factors are helpful in distinguishing those at higher risk to risk stratify accordingly?

Methods

After institutional review board approval (IRB#022008-095), a 15½-year retrospective review of operative ovarian cases was performed.

Results

A total of 424 patients were identified, with a mean age 12.5 years (range, 1 day to 19 years), without an age disparity between benign (12.54 years, 89%) and malignant (11.8 years, 11%) cases. The 1- to 8-year age group had the highest percentage of malignancies (22%; odds ratio [OR], 3.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-6.86). A chief complaint of mass or precocious puberty versus one of pain had an OR for malignancy of 4.84 and 5.67, respectively (95% CI, 2.48-9.45 and 1.60-20.30). Imaging of benign neoplasms had a mean size of 8 cm (range, 0.9-36 cm) compared with malignancies at 17.3 cm (6.2-50 cm, P < .001). An ovarian mass size of 8 cm or longer on preoperative imaging had an OR of 19.0 for malignancy (95% CI, 4.42-81.69). Ultrasound or computed tomographic findings of a solid mass, although infrequent, were most commonly associated with malignancy (33%-60%), compared with reads of heterogeneous (15%-21%) or cystic (4%-5%) lesions. The malignancies (n = 46) included germ cell (50%, n = 23), stromal (28%, n = 13), epithelial (17%, n = 8), and other (4%, n = 2). Tumor markers obtained in 71% of malignancies were elevated in only 54%, whereas 6.5% of those sent in benign cases were similarly elevated. Elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG), alpha fetoprotein (αFP), and cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) were significantly associated with malignancy (P < .02) and an elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was not (P = .1880).

Conclusion

This reported series of pediatric ovarian masses demonstrates that preoperative indicators that best predict an ovarian malignancy are a complaint of a mass or precocious puberty, a mass exceeding 8 cm or a mass with solid imaging characteristics. Those patients aged 1 to 8 years have the greatest incidence of malignancy. Tumor markers, positive or negative, were not conclusive in all cases but useful for postoperative surveillance.     

Pediatric ovarian malignancies: how efficacious are current staging practices?

Purpose

Conventional staging is not routinely practiced because of a lack of preoperative indicators for pediatric ovarian malignancy. Children's Oncology Group (COG) developed guidelines for germ cell tumors to revise staging to correlate with primary pediatric ovarian pathology. Are COG guidelines being used, and are they applicable to all pediatric ovarian malignancies?

Methods

A 15½-year retrospective review of operative ovarian masses from a single academic center was performed.

Results

There were 424 patients identified, with 46 malignancies (11%). Most were stage I (73%). Complete COG staging was performed in 24%. Each staging component performed was as follows: oophorectomy (91%), examination with or without biopsy of omentum (72%), peritoneum (67%), retroperitoneum (63%), contralateral ovary (56%), and washings (46%). Advanced stages had visible findings at exploration to guide biopsies. Of site-directed biopsies, 40.5% were positive, whereas all random biopsies (n = 38) were negative. Two recurrences and all mortalities (n = 4) had complete initial COG operative staging. Mean duration of follow-up was 3.62 ± 0.365 years.

Conclusion

The COG staging is not consistently followed. All cases of advanced disease were visibly obvious and confirmed with site-directed biopsies. Random samplings were all negative and did not impact stage. Negative outcomes reflected inherent tumor biology not deviation from COG staging. The COG guidelines appear to be sufficient for all pediatric ovarian malignancies.     

腹腔镜诊治卵巢囊肿蒂扭转

目的:探讨腹腔镜在诊断和治疗卵巢囊肿蒂扭转方面的应用价值。方法:对1994年1月至2006年2月14例经腹腔镜诊断和治疗的卵巢囊肿蒂扭转患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果:14例中12例(85.7%)临床表现为急性腹痛,8例(57.14%)伴有恶心呕吐;仅6例术前诊断为卵巢囊肿蒂扭转;14例均经腹腔镜确诊并于镜下完成治疗,行患侧附件切除术9例,蒂扭转复位后行卵巢囊肿剥出术5例,平均手术时间114.3m in,平均出血24.3m l,无手术并发症发生;术后病理诊断卵巢成熟囊性畸胎瘤10例,浆液性囊腺瘤3例,卵巢单纯性囊肿1例。结论:腹腔镜对早期诊断卵巢囊肿蒂扭转有重要价值,在诊断的同时治疗卵巢囊肿蒂扭转安全有效。     

Cannot exclude torsion—a 15-year review

Background

Ovarian torsion remains a challenging diagnosis, often leading to delayed operative intervention and resultant ovarian loss.

Methods

Charts of patients with ovarian operative cases were retrospectively reviewed at a free-standing children's hospital over 15 years. Torsion was based on intraoperative findings.

Results

Of 328 operative ovarian cases, 97 (29.6%) demonstrated torsion. Mean patient age was 9.2 years (2 days to 17 years, ±0.54 SEM), with 52% occurring between 9 and 14 years. Of the patients, 97% presented in pain. Presence of a pelvic mass 5 cm or larger on imaging had 83% sensitivity for torsion: an ultrasound reading was only 51% sensitive. Elevated white blood cell count was the only preoperative characteristic associated with prompt operative intervention. Utilization of laparoscopy increased during the latter half of the study (18%-42%, P < .0434). There was a positive trend, although insignificant, in the use of laparoscopy and ovarian salvage. Pathology was overwhelmingly benign (infarction [46%], cysts [33%], and benign neoplasms [19%]).

Conclusion

Torsion was responsible for one third of all operative ovarian cases. Sonography is not reliable in diagnosis or exclusion of ovarian torsion. Thus, a strategy of earlier and liberal use of Diagnostic Laparoscopy (DL), particularly with a pelvic mass of approximately 5 cm, may improve ovarian salvage. Because pathology is predominantly benign, the edematous detorsed ovary is safe to salvage.     

儿童卵巢扭转的MSCT表现

目的观察儿童卵巢扭转的MSCT表现。方法回顾性分析23例经手术或病理检查证实的儿童卵巢扭转MSCT资料,主要观察扭转后卵巢大小和形态、蒂扭转、子宫及附件周围血管异常改变。23例中,6例仅接受CT平扫,17例接受CT平扫及双期增强扫描。结果 23例患儿中,原发性卵巢扭转4例,继发性卵巢扭转19例;发生于左侧9例,右侧14例。23例中,MSCT示15例卵巢体积增大且密度增高,12例增大的卵巢表面可见数量不等的增大滤泡。23例中,11例(11/23,47.83%)可见卵巢蒂扭转。CT增强扫描动脉期及门静脉期均见卵巢扭转侧子宫及附件周围血管增多、增粗、走行异常。15例子宫不同程度变形、移位;11例可见盆腔内少量积液。结论儿童卵巢扭转的MSCT表现具有一定特征性,MSCT检查有助于提高卵巢扭转的检出率。     

Oophoropexy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound after asynchronous bilateral ovarian torsion

A girl with asynchronous, bilateral ovarian torsion with previous oophorectomy presented with her second torsion. A laparoscopic untwisting of the torsed ovary was performed, treatment with hyperbaric oxygen therapy was given, and the outcome was followed with contrast-enhanced ultrasound. After 1 month, a laparoscopic oophoropexy was performed. The detorsed ovary regained its circulation and decreased in size. It looked normal at the time for oophopexy and at follow-up. This case supports the evidence of an ovarian-sparing approach to ovarian torsion in children and supports oophoropexy after torsion of a detorsed, otherwise normal ovary in the premenarcheal girl.     

Ovarian torsion in children: Management and outcomes

Background

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical symptoms, diagnosis, management, and outcomes in children with ovarian torsion.

Methods

The charts of 50 patients with 53 cases of ovarian torsion treated between January 1989 and March 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Long term follow up was available for 20 girls who had their ovaries left in the abdominal cavity after detorsion.

Results

In 22 cases ovaries were removed, and in 31 cases the torsion was relieved and the ovaries left in the abdominal cavity. Twenty-five of the salvaged ovaries were black-bluish and 10 bluish in color. Since 2005, after a change in preferred treatment, all ovaries treated by detorsion were left in the abdominal cavity. The long term results were observed clinically and by ultrasound in 20 girls. Multifollicular ovaries were found in 17 girls. One girl had a normal size paucifollicular ovary, a one-year-old girl had a normal size ovary with microfollicles, and one girl had no ovarian material detectable by ultrasound.

Conclusions

Long term analysis of the treatment of ovarian torsion revealed that ovaries treated by detorsion and left in the abdominal cavity preserved their normal anatomy and function. Conservative surgical treatment proved to be safe. None of the girls had thromboembolism or peritonitis, and no malignant tumors were found in the operated ovaries.     

Ovarian torsion in pediatric and adolescent patients: A systematic review

Objective

Ovarian torsion in pediatric patients is a rare event and is primarily managed by pediatric general surgeons. Torsion can be treated with detorsion of the ovary or oopherectomy. Oopherectomy is the most common procedure performed by pediatric general surgeons for ovarian torsion. The purpose of this systematic review by the American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes and Evidence Based Practice Committee was to examine evidence from the medical literature and provide recommendations regarding the optimal treatment of ovarian torsion.

Using quality improvement methodology to improve ovarian salvage for benign ovarian masses

Purpose

Most ovarian masses in children are benign and potentially amenable to ovarian salvage surgery (OSS). Despite the common use of OSS among pediatric and adolescent gynecologists (PAG) in recognition of reproductive and hormonal health advantages, this technique is not commonly performed by pediatric surgeons. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) initiative was to improve our institutional rate of OSS for benign ovarian masses.

Ovarian torsion associated with appendicitis in a 5-year-old girl: a case report and review of the literature

Acute ovarian torsion is an uncommon cause of abdominal pain in female children and is often difficult to differentiate from other conditions causing lower abdominal pain. Acute adnexal pathology associated with appendicitis is very rare, with only a handful of reports available in the literature. Reported is a case of ovarian torsion associated with appendicitis in a 5-year-old girl along with a comprehensive literature review.     

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma as a secondary malignancy in pediatric sarcoma

Purpose

Children diagnosed with osteosarcoma (OS) and Ewing sarcoma (ES) have greatly benefited from the addition of alkylator therapy. However, with greater numbers of long-term survivors, the rising incidence of secondary malignant neoplasms (SMNs) is concerning. Herein we report on 2 patients with sarcoma who developed a case of secondary mucoepidermoid carcinoma after chemotherapy treatment without associated radiation therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first series of mucoepidermoid carcinomas arising in pediatric patients treated for sarcoma without radiotherapy.

Methods

Long-term survivors of OS and ES currently undergoing routine follow-up care were reviewed and noted for the development of a new secondary malignancy. Details of their initial evaluation, previous therapies, resection techniques, pathologic findings, and follow-up compose this report.

Results

Two patients, a 17-year-old adolescent boy with OS and 16-year-old adolescent girl with ES, with secondary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland were identified. Both patients underwent primary resection and chemotherapy including alkylating agents, but neither received radiation. The mucoepidermoid carcinomas developed 27 months and 132 months after completion of therapy, respectively, and were noted on routine yearly follow-up. Fine-needle aspiration was nondiagnostic on each, and parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve was performed. Pathology revealed low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma with tumor extending to the deep margins for both lesions, and radiotherapy to the parotid bed was administered. There were no surgical complications. One patient is alive, without evidence of recurrent mucoepidermoid carcinoma after 4 years; the other recently completed radiotherapy and is disease-free after 12 months.

Conclusion

Primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland accounts for less than 10% of all head and neck tumors in childhood. Previous series of secondary mucoepidermoid carcinoma have demonstrated an increased risk in patients with leukemia/lymphoma. This is the first reported series of parotid mucoepidermoid carcinomas occurring after sarcoma treatment without radiotherapy. A common link between the 2 patients may be the use of alkylating therapy.     

Disparities in pediatric gonadal torsion: Does gender,race and insurance status affect outcomes?

Purpose

Ovarian and testicular torsions are emergencies requiring prompt surgical treatment to preserve gonadal function. However, diagnosis in females is often delayed owing to nonspecific symptoms. We sought to assess disparities in management and outcomes between males and females with torsion.

Ovarian masses in the child and adolescent: An American Pediatric Surgical Association Outcomes and Evidence-Based Practice Committee systematic review

Background

The treatment of ovarian masses in pediatric patients should balance appropriate surgical management with the preservation of future reproductive capability. Preoperative estimation of malignant potential is essential to planning an optimal surgical strategy.

Ovarian torsion in puerperium: A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Ovarian torsion (OT) is a rare cause of acute abdominal pain that requires prompt recognition and treatment during puerperium. Diagnosis of OT can be challenging due to nonspecific clinical features and uncommon objective findings. The management of OT is often delayed because of diagnostic uncertainty. Early and timely recognition and prompt intervention are crucial to preserve ovarian function and to minimize morbidity.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report a 29-year-old postpartum woman who presented to the emergency department (ED) with severe right flank pain, nausea and anorexia initially considered as renal colic. After further investigation, OT caused by large mucinous cyst was diagnosed. Right-sided salpingo-oophorectomy was performed due to hemorrhagic ovary and huge cystic mass causing ischemic OT.

DISCUSSION

OT is often diagnosed based on the clinical presentation, including severe, sharp, sudden onset of unilateral lower abdominal pain and tenderness with a palpable laterouterine pelvic mass and nausea/vomiting. Emergency surgical intervention should be performed if OT is suspected to confirm the diagnosis and uncoil the twist to prevent ovarian damage.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, emergency physicians should be aware of the possibility of OT in postpartum women. Therefore, early and timely surgical intervention should be undertaken.