A review of Radiological Imaging Features to ameliorate radiologists’ knowledge of Krukenberg Tumor (KT)

Abstract

Object: Aim is to delineate the major radiological findings with US, CT and MR of the Krukenberg tumor. Method: Revision of the literature. Introduction: A Krukenberg tumor refers tipically to a gastrointestinal cancer that metastasizes to the ovaries; this tumor was named after Krukenberg, who originally described this pathologic condition of the ovaries in 1896. The prognosis of this tumor is uniformly poor.[1] Discussion: Krukenburg tumor (KT)is a metastatic malignancy of the ovary characterized by mucin-rich signet-ring adenocarcinoma that primarily arises from a gastrointestinal site in most cases and less commonly from other sites. Often these tumors are bilateral (over 80%), given their metastatic nature. The images of a Krukenberg tumor highlight that the masses are mostly: bilateral, lobulated, solid/mixed solid and cystic. Conclusion: On imaging, Krukenberg tumor should be suspected when bilateral solid, mixed solid and cystic, or predominantly cystic ovarian masses are seen in the presence of a known or suspected gastrointestinal primary malignancy. Krukenberg tumors should also be considered when a ovarian mass shows the so-called “lead vessel sign”[1-12-15].