Ovarian hilus-cell hyperplasia and high serum testosterone in a patient with postmenopausal virilization.

OBJECTIVE

To describe a woman with postmenopausal virilization and hirsutism caused by hilus-cell hyperplasia.

METHODS

We present a case report including laboratory, radiographic, and pathologic findings in a patient with postmenopausal hirsutism and virilization caused by ovarian hilus-cell hyperplasia as well as a brief review of the literature.

RESULTS

A 60-year-old postmenopausal woman presented with extensive hirsutism, male-pattern hair loss, and clitoromegaly. The patient's plasma testosterone levels were very high, but computed tomography showed the adrenal glands to be normal in size. Pelvic ultrasonography revealed a cystic lesion in the left ovary. After bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, histologic examination demonstrated a diffuse pattern of hilus-cell hyperplasia in the ovarian hilum.

CONCLUSION

In the differential diagnosis of postmenopausal virilization, hilus-cell hyperplasia, although rare, should be considered.