Lipid cell tumor of the ovary: Steroid hormone secretory pattern and localization using ⁷⁵Se-selenomethylcholesterol

Ovarian lipid cell tumors are rare and can be difficult to localize by conventional means. We report a postmenopausal patient where rapid progression of symptoms and very high sebum levels suggested the presence of such a tumor which could not be visualized by computed tomography or ultrasound. Localization was accomplished noninvasively using ⁷⁵Se-selenomethylcholesterol. Peripheral and ovarian vein steroid concentrations suggest that the tumor produced androgens preferentially by way of the Δ⁴ steroidogenesis pathway.