Computed tomography of cystic ovarian teratomas with gravity-dependent layering.
Computed tomography (CT) may serve as a valuable adjunct in cases of ovarian dermoid cysts which present diagnostic difficulties on radiographic and ultrasound examination. The heterogeneous composition of cystic teratomas includes calcifications or an osseous component, a solid component of soft tissue density, a fluid component of water density, and a fourth component with negative attenuation values typical of high-fat content. The CT finding of a gravity-dependent layering within a fatty mass or a fat-fluid level is pathognomonic of dermoid cysts.
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography