Peculiar pathognomonic ultrasound presentation of Benign cystic teratoma of the ovary: The “akara” sign

##article.abstract##

Introduction: Many sonographic features of the

matured cystic teratoma have been described in

literature with some such as “dermoid plugs” and

Rokitansky sign being well known while others such

as the “floating globules” despite being

pathognomonic is less common and thus often not

recognized. Because most cases of floating globules

have been reported from the Europe and Asia, the

nomenclatures or names given to this finding have

been related to events in these regions. Thus, terms

such as “truffles sign”, “poke ball sign” have been

used to described cases of floating globules, while

these terms are familiar to the European and Western

populations, they are undoubtedly alien to the

African culture.

Methods: This is a case report of a 40-year-old

woman who presented with classical ultrasound

features of floating globules. To the best of our

knowledge no ultrasound features similar to the

“floating globules” of benign cystic teratoma have

been reported from Africa. Our case described the

sonographic findings of floating globules in a

Nigerian woman. We also proposed a familiar name

“akara sign” for this intriguing and peculiar feature

of benign teratoma.

Conclusion: The case highlighted the ultrasound

findings of floating globules in an African woman

and also proposed a familiar name for the

phenomenon for easier recognition.