title: Uterine myometrial mature teratoma presenting as a uterine mass: a review of literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Teratomas are a germ cell tumors composed of two or more tissues which originate from ectoderm, endoderm or mesoderm. These tumors commonly arise from the ovary although other extragonadal sites can be involved, especially in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 21-year-old female of Sukuma ethnicity from the northern region of Tanzania who presented with abdominal pain and distension, fever, and abnormal vaginal discharge for the previous three weeks. The patient was also lactating for the previous 8 months following cesarean section delivery. Pelvic ultrasound suggested pelvic abscess but after laparotomy and histological analysis of a bulky uterus removed a diagnosis of mature uterine teratoma was confirmed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although it is rare, uterine teratoma should be considered in differential diagnosis to any patient with uterine mass even without typical radiological findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of Health and Allied sciences, P.O.BOX 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kamgobe
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of Health and Allied sciences, P.O.BOX 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bugando Medical Centre, P.O.BOX 1370, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Massinde
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of Health and Allied sciences, P.O.BOX 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Dismas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matovelo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of Health and Allied sciences, P.O.BOX 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.|Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bugando Medical Centre, P.O.BOX 1370, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Edgar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ndaboine
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Catholic University of Health and Allied sciences, P.O.BOX 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rambau
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of Health and Allied sciences, P.O.BOX 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Tito
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chaula
keywords: Uterine mass; Uterine mature teratoma