[Androgen-producing hilus cell tumor (Leydig cell tumor) of the ovary: case contribution to the differential diagnosis of virilization in the adult woman].

Severe hirsutism, deepening of the voice and enlargement of the clitoris developed in the course of two years in a 55-year old hysterectomized woman. Laboratory examinations showed markedly elevated plasma concentrations of testosterone and androstenedione and a moderately increased urinary excretion of 17-ketosteroids. Gaschromatographic analysis of the urinary steroids, revealed that she mainly excreted etiocholanolone, androsterone and pregnanetriol. Plasma androgens and urinary 17-ketosteroids were not suppressed by dexamethasone treatment. During catheterization of the vena cava blood samples were selectively taken from the ovarian veins. Androgen concentrations were the highest in the plasma from the right ovarian vein. However, phlebography as well as adrenal scanning with 131I-adosterol indicated a tumor of the right adrenal gland. During laparoscopy the right ovary was found to be enlarged, and it was subsequently removed. It contained a tumor 2.5 cm in diameter which had the histological features of a hilus cell tumor (Leydig cell adenoma). Two years later, the patient underwent surgery for suspected tumor of the left kidney. A functionless atrophic left kidney was removed. There was a complete thrombosis of the left renal and ovarian veins. Possibly, this severe lesion of the two vessels had been caused by their previous catheterization.