MRI characteristics of primary fallopian tube choriocarcinoma: a case report

Abstract

Tubal choriocarcinoma is uncommon, and its magnetic resonance imaging characteristics have not yet been reported. In this report, a 39-year-old woman presented with irregular painless vaginal bleeding and a palpable left lower abdominal lump for 2 months following 6 weeks' amenorrhea and positive urine pregnancy test. Her serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin value was significantly increased. Ultrasound revealed a left adnexal mass, which showed no blood flow signal on Color doppler flow imaging. A further MR examination showed a well-defined cystic-solid mass with cystic component accounting for a large proportion in the left lower abdomen. The solid part with mixed signals resembled a honeycomb. Finally, the left tubal choriocarcinoma was confirmed by pathology. When the solid parts of cystic-solid mass appeared as “honeycomb appearance” and the ovaries were normal by magnetic resonance imaging, together with typical symptoms and significantly elevated β-human chorionic gonadotropin values, radiologists should feel more confident in suspecting tubal choriocarcinoma and reporting it on their differential.

Keywords

• Choriocarcinoma
• Fallopian tube
• MRI