Incremental Value of Contrast-Enhanced Multiparametric MRI for Accurate Identification and Characterization of a Giant Multilocular Pelvic Mass in a Young Woman
Objective:Rare disease Background:Mucinous cystadenoma is a benign cystic tumor lined by mucinous gastrointestinal-type epithelium.This entity usually presents as a large multicystic mass containing mucus and fluid, predominantly in women aged 20 to 40 years.Mucinous ovarian tumors frequently manifest as large unilateral pelvic masses.Differential diagnoses include non-neoplastic conditions such as follicular cysts, corpus luteum cysts, and endometriosis.Giant ovarian tumors are rare; symptoms often result from the large size of the mass and may include pain, abdominal or pelvic fullness, and a palpable mass.We describe the incremental value of contrast-enhanced multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for identifying and characterizing a giant multilocular adnexal lesion in a young woman.Case Report:An 18-year-old woman was referred to our emergency department for a giant multilocular pelvic mass incidentally discovered on transvaginal ultrasound; she presented with severe abdominal pain.Contrast-enhanced multiparametric MRI supported the adnexal origin of the mass and favored a benign diagnosis based on the absence of mural nodules, solid components, septal contrast enhancement, or restricted diffusion on diffusionweighted images.MRI thus provided a preoperative assessment favoring a benign lesion, whereas histopathological examination confirmed the final diagnosis of benign ovarian mucinous cystadenoma. Conclusions:This case highlights the incremental value and supporting role of contrast-enhanced multiparametric MRI when evaluating a giant pelvic mass in a young patient.MRI confirmed the origin, precisely localized the mass, and facilitated appropriate preoperative surgical planning; the definitive diagnosis was established by histopathological examination.
Authors
- Massimo Mascolo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2576-220X)
- Massimo Imbriaco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5262-5430)
- Andrea Ponsiglione (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0105-935X)
- Elena Giordano
- Maria Gerardina Freda
- Donato Bressi
- Francesca Rauseo
- Francesco Muto
- Attilio Di Spiezio Sardo
Institutions
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- American Journal of Case Reports
- Published
- 2026-10-27
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.12659/ajcr.954462
- Primary Topic
- MRI in cancer diagnosis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00