A case of xanthogranulomatous oophoritis developed in a virgin.

Xanthogranulomatous inflammation is an uncommon form of chronic granulomatous inflammation that is characterized by the presence of lipid-filled histiocytes with lymphocytes, plasma cells and neutrophils. It is best known to occur in the kidney.1,3 Other organs in which xanthogranulomatous inflammation has been reported are the gallbladder, stomach, anorectal area, bone, urinary bladder, testis, epididymis and female genital tract.2,4-12 Only a few cases of xanthogranulomatous oophoritis have been reported to date.10,14-19 Infection has been thought to be the main etiologic factor in the pathogenesis of xanthogranulomatous lesion.13,17 The pathogenesis of xanthogranulomatous inflammation remains still unclear. Other proposed causes are abnormality in lipid metabolism, endometriosis and ineffective clearance of bacteria by phagocytes.13,16-7 We describe a case of a xanthogranulomatous oophoritis in a 23-year-old virgin which associates with hemorrhagic ovarian cyst and minimal association of pelvic inflammatory disease.