Discriminating between virilizing ovary tumors and ovary hyperthecosis in postmenopausal women: clinical data, hormonal profiles and image studies.

BACKGROUND: The presence of virilizing signs associated with high serum androgen levels in postmenopausal women is rare. Virilizing ovarian tumors (VOTs) and ovarian stromal hyperthecosis (OH) are the most common etiologies in virilized postmenopausal women. The differential diagnosis between these two conditions is often difficult.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the contribution of clinical features, hormonal profiles and radiological studies to the differential diagnosis of VOT and OH.

DESIGN: A retrospective study.

SETTING: A tertiary center.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical data, hormonal status (T, E2, LH and FSH), pelvic images (transvaginal sonography and MRI) and anatomopathology were reviewed.

PATIENTS: Thirty-four postmenopausal women with a diagnosis of VOT (13 women) and OH (21 women) were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS: Clinical signs of hyperandrogenism were more prevalent in the VOT group than the OH group. Although the VOT group showed higher T and E2 levels and lower gonadotropin levels than the OH group, a great overlap occurred among the hormone levels. A pelvic MRI provided an accurate differentiation of these two conditions.

CONCLUSION: In this group of patients, the main features contributing to the differential diagnosis of VOT and OH were serum levels of testosterone and gonadotropins and the presence of an ovarian nodule identified on the MRI. Although the association of clinical, hormonal and radiological features contributes to the differential diagnosis of these two conditions, histopathological analysis remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of ovarian hyperandrogenism in postmenopausal women.