Pelvic Castleman disease mimicking an adnexal tumor.
BACKGROUND
Castleman disease, or giant lymph node hyperplasia, is a rare cause of lymph node enlargement. Only 11 cases with pelvic localization in women have been reported.


METHODS
A pelvic mass mimicking an adnexal tumor was detected on a routine examination in a 26-year-old woman. Surprisingly, the pelvic organs were found to be normal at laparotomy. Eight years later, the subject was examined for dyspareunia and secondary infertility that lasted 2 years. A pelvic mass, evidently the one encountered 8 years previously, was detected; it had enlarged only slightly in the intervening time. Surgical exploration of the retropubic space revealed a tumor-like mass attached to the periosteum of the left superior pubic arch. The mass was removed by simple resection. Histologic investigations confirmed a diagnosis of Castleman disease. Three months after the operation, the woman conceived without any further treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility of Castleman disease should be considered when assessing a pelvic mass. The condition in the retropubic space in women has not been reported previously.
Ylinen
K
K
Helsinki City Maternity Hospital, Finland.
Sarlomo-Rikala
M
M
Laatikainen
T
T
D000290:Adnexa Uteri / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D005871:Castleman Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010386:Pelvic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography