Laparoscopic Findings Revealing a Mature Ovarian Teratoma Initially Diagnosed as a Mesenteric Tumor: A Case Report

Abstract

Mature ovarian teratomas are the most common benign germ cell tumors of the ovary and usually affect women of reproductive age. Their clinical presentation is variable, and in some cases, imaging findings may be misleading, complicating the preoperative diagnosis. We report a case of an 18-year-old female patient who presented to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed a large intra-abdominal mass initially interpreted as originating from the mesentery. Due to persistent symptoms and diagnostic uncertainty, surgical exploration was performed. Intraoperatively, the mass was identified as an ovarian lesion, and complete resection was achieved. Histopathological examination unexpectedly confirmed the diagnosis of a mature cystic teratoma without malignant features. The postoperative course was favorable, and the patient recovered without complications. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with atypical presentations of ovarian teratomas and underscores the importance of considering gynecologic pathology in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses in young women, even when imaging suggests an extragonadal origin. Surgical exploration remains essential when clinical presentation involves severe symptoms or diagnostic ambiguity, allowing both definitive histopathological diagnosis and resolution of symptoms.