1/2. diagnosis and management of bilateral theca lutein cysts in a normal term pregnancy.Theca lutein cysts are benign neoplasms known to be associated with twins, molar pregnancy and erythroblastosis fetalis, but they are only rarely associated with a normal singleton pregnancy. Their natural course is postpartum spontaneous regression. Documented cases were noted because of abdominal pain or dystocia. This paper reports theca lutein cysts which were asymptomatic and were first noted ultrasonographically in a singleton gestation at term. In a few published cases and in a larger number of unpublished cases, apparent confusion as to the benign nature of these cysts has led to unwarranted bilateral oophorectomy. Asymptomatic theca lutein cysts undoubtably occur more commonly than they are reported. With the increasing use of ultrasonography and cesarean section, this condition probably will be observed more frequently in the future. At the time of laparotomy in late pregnancy with ovaries which appear pathological, tissue biopsy and evaluation is of critical importance in order to avoid unnecessary castration in this group of young women.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/2. The fine structure of a virilizing human granulosa-theca cell tumor. Observations on the nature of the hormone producing cell.The ultrastructure of a virilizing granulosa-theca cell tumor is reported. Although the histologic appearance is characteristic of a granulosa-theca tumor, several tumor cells contain crystalloids of Reinke which have not been associated with sex-cord-stromal tumors, but which are often present in ovarian hilus cells and leydig cells. The steroidogenic cell in this case displays many fine structural features common to mammalian steroidogenic cells, namely abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum, a dispersed Golgi, mitochondria with tubular cristae, and lipid droplets. Other features of this cell, which contains crystalloids of Reinke, more closely resemble those of a theca-lutein cell than a granulose-lutein or hilus cell and support a stromal origin. However, this tumor illustrates the striking overlap in morphologic features and function among granulosa, theca, hilus, and leydig cells.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 4keywords = nature (Clic here for more details about this article) |