Krukenberg Tumors

Axial and coronal-reformatted CT images of a 41-year-old woman shows an enlarged, solid-appearing right ovarian mass (arrows). The left ovary (not shown) is normal. 

Facts:

• Metastatic tumor to the ovary that contains mucin-secreting, signet ring cells
• Usually originate from primary tumors of GI tract (most common = colon and stomach)
• 10% of all ovarian tumors
• Occur in reproductive age

Imaging:

• Nonspecific appearance. Can be solid or mixed solid/cystic
• High suspicion for ovarian metastasis if:
• Bilateral 
• Complex-appearing ovarian masses
• Known GI tract tumor (esp. colon and stomach)
• MRI showing T1/T2 hyper intensity due to mucin

Our case: Ovarian metastasis from primary gastric cancer.

Reference:

Jung SE, et al. CT and MR imaging of ovarian tumors with emphasis on differential diagnosis. Radiographics 2002; 22:1305.