Preliminary Diagnosis: Struma ovarii

I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis?

  • Ultrasound (US) of the pelvis with transabdominal and endovaginal imaging for evaluation of the ovaries.

II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of struma ovarii.

Advantages
  • Allows for evaluation of the ovaries, adnexa, and uterus.
  • Relatively quick examination which does not utilize ionizing radiation.
  • Useful in determining characteristics of ovarian lesions.
  • Can allow for assessment of vascular flow to ovarian lesions.
  • Cost-effective imaging modality.
  • If normal-appearing ovaries are seen, a diagnosis of struma ovarii can be excluded.
Disadvantages
  • Very operator-dependent, and relies heavily on the skill of the technologist or physician performing the exam.
  • Can be significantly degraded by patient body habitus and bowel gas content.
  • Endovaginal ultrasound, while more sensitive, is uncomfortable to some patients.

III. What are the contraindications for the first-line imaging technique?

  • There are no significant contraindications to transabdominal US examination of the pelvis.
  • Endovaginal US is much more sensitive, but may be declined by a subset of patients.

IV. What alternative imaging techniques are available?

  • Magnetic resonance imaging with intravenous gadolinium contrast.
  • Computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast.
  • Iodine-123 nuclear scan.

V. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative techniques for diagnosis of struma ovarii.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast
Advantages
  • Allows for high-resolution evaluation of the ovaries and pelvic structures.
  • Does not use ionizing radiation.
Disadvantages
  • Expensive
  • Time consuming
  • Requires significant patient cooperation to minimize motion artifact
CT with contrast
Advantages
  • Quick imaging exam which requires less patient cooperation than MRI.
  • Cost-effective.
Disadvantages
  • Utilizes ionizing radiation, which should be minimized for patients in reproductive age and children.
Iodine-123 nuclear scan
Advantages
  • Iodine-123 will be taken up by any functioning thyroid tissue, and is diagnostic of struma ovarii if seen in the adnexal region.
  • Can be done with Spect-CT imaging, allowing for CT and nuclear evaluation in the same examination.
Disadvantages
  • Lengthy examination.
  • Significant radiation dose that requires extensive patient preparation, post-imaging instructions, and occasionally patient isolation.

VI. What are the contraindications for the alternative imaging techniques?

MRI with contrast
  • Patients with embedded metallic devices not made of titanium such as cardiac pacers, stents, and other non-MR approved metallic devices may not enter the magnet for imaging.
  • Patients with GFR <30 cannot receive gadolinium intravenous contrast.
CT with contrast
  • Contraindicated in pregnancy, especially 1st and 2nd trimester.
  • Intravenous contrast should not be administered in patients with renal insufficiency, creatinine>1.6 mg/dL
  • Allergy to iodinated contrast media requires premedication per department protocol or in severe cases should not be given.
Iodine-123
  • Contraindicated in pregnant patients or patients who plan on becoming pregnant within 6 months.
  • Patients on thyroid replacement therapy will need to discontinue medication for 3-4 days prior to examination.