Bidhan Roy

Diverse nature of ovarian tumours: Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome

Van Wyk-Grumbach syndrome is a unique condition where a medical illness like hypothyroidism manifests as large ovarian masses, ascites and precocious puberty. This is a treatable condition and warrants a suitable and timely recognition. This study includes a series of three cases over 3 years where despite the myriad of apparently grave symptoms and signs, they resolved on treatment with thyroxine. The investigations included serum TSH levels to rule out hypothyroidism, serum FSH and LH levels, X-ray wrist bones to ascertain onset of precocious puberty and tumour markers including serum CA 125 and LDH for ovarian tumours in the young. The follow-up included an ultrasound after 3 months of Tab Eltroxin to see resolution of ovarian masses which miraculously disappeared. Awareness of such a condition avoids any unnecessary and unwarranted surgical intervention which would hamper the young girls’ fertility.