Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology
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Gynecol. Endocrinol. · Dec 1988
Case ReportsVirilization due to ovarian hyperthecosis in a postmenopausal woman.
A 51-year-old woman presented with hirsutism and virilization of gradual onset. The serum gonadotropin concentrations were in the postmenopausal range, the serum testosterone concentration was markedly elevated (9.8 nmol/l) and the serum estradiol concentration (220 pmol/l) was elevated above the postmenopausal range. A selective venous catheterization study demonstrated raised serum testosterone and androstenedione levels in ovarian veins and suggested the presence of a left ovarian tumor. ⋯ Ovarian histology revealed bilateral stromal hyperthecosis. Ovarian hyperthecosis is a rare but important cause of serum testosterone levels in the neoplastic range. This is the third case reported of postmenopausal virilization due to ovarian hyperthecosis and the first report of a selective venous catheterization study in such a patient.