Enhancing Solid Component within Mature Ovarian Teratomas on MR: Does it Indicate a Malignant Transformation?

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the enhancing solid component within mature ovarian teratomas on pelvic MR examinations. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two women with surgically proven mature cystic teratomas underwent preoperative pelvic MR examinations. Five cases had an enhancing solid component within mature cystic ovarian teratomas on MR images. The MR images were retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists by consensus, focusing on the enhancing portion of tumor and the tumor itself. Results: The study subjects include 5 patients (15.6%) with enhancing solid components within the mature ovarian cystic teratomas. The mean tumor size was 9.8 cm and they were all unilateral. The enhancing solid components of the tumors had a variable appearance and were located in the peripheral region. No cases were found to have a transmural extension or direct invasion of the neighboring pelvic organ. Conclusion: An enhancing solid component associated with mature ovarian teratomas is not uncommon. This finding does not however, necessarily indicate malignant transformation.