Mature cystic teratoma with neurogenic components and struma ovarii: a rare case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Mature cystic teratoma of the ovary is a common germ cell tumor among women. Teratomas are more frequently seen in younger women. In teratoma, all three germ cell layers are present, and hence any type of histological tissue can develop. As regards the type of tissue present, it may be mature or immature. In monodermal teratoma, one of the tissues may predominate, such as thyroid tissue in struma ovarii and neuroectodermal tissue in carcinoid tumor. Here, we present a case report in which a young woman presented with ovarian mass diagnosed histopathologically as mature ovarian teratoma having mostly neurologic elements such as glial tissue, melanotic cells, choroid plexus, and struma ovarii, and along with that fat and respiratory epithelium were also identified. Ovarian teratoma is composed of derivatives of three germ cell layers, but in some cases monodermal component such as struma ovarii can be seen with neurogenic components and mesodermal components.