Autoimmune oophoritis. An incidental finding.

A case of autoimmune oophoritis is reported. A 41-year-old woman had a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for menorrhagia, polymenorrhoea and cystic ovaries. The diagnosis of autoimmune oophoritis was not suspected clinically, and was an unexpected histological finding in the ovaries. The gross and histological appearances of this rare condition are described, and the lymphoid infiltrate characterised by immunocytochemistry. Recognition of this condition by pathologists is important, as there is an associated risk of developing other autoimmune disease, even some years later, necessitating close patient follow-up. In this case serum auto-antibodies to adrenal cortex were detected, indicating a subsequent risk of Addison's disease.