Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary: imaging evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary is a rare complex malignant tumor that occurs in young women. We performed this study to determine the imaging characteristics of this tumor. CONCLUSION: Endodermal sinus tumor of the ovary presents as a large complex abdominal mass that can be predominantly cystic and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of complex abdominal masses in girls and young women. In addition, upon encountering a mass with these imaging characteristics in the proper clinical setting, serum alpha-fetoprotein levels should be measured to help make a presurgical diagnosis and to obtain a baseline value.