Seeing an ovary on my CT scan after both removed

[Auntcobbie]

So--I had a CT scan on Thursday.  Diagnosed with diverticulitis.  In the ER on Saturday for worsening pain and vomiting.  The doctor and nurse review the CT scan and tell me that my left ovary is adhered to my bowel and cystic.  But wait--I do not have a left ovary!!  It was removed along with a mass in July.  My other one was removed in my 20s and I had a hysterectomy in 2006.  Needless to say, they were shocked and had no explanation.  They sent it to the radiologist on duty to review and he said the same thing--ovary.

When my gyno did the surgery, she was assisted by a gyn onco  because once she opened me up, there was so much scarring and adhesion that she needed help separating organs etc...The ER doc called my gynos and the doctor on call was not the one that did my surgery--it is a small practice (only 2 docs)--but remembered when the other doc shared the story of my sloppy insides.  They decided I could come home and follow-up with my gyno on Monday.

They all think it is nothing serious.  But I think it is weird and I am a little worried.  Anyone else have a similar experience or is this a rare occurrence?

Thanks--Chris

[idel]

how often is normal to suffers from Ovarian Remnat Syndrome 3 times???  I had 3 surgeries already.. Hopefully it is the last!..

[Auntcobbie]

My gyno reviewed the report from the CT scan and said it is not an ovary but adhesions.  She left a note with the nurse to tell me that I should be on pain meds and she did not need to see me or do any follow-up at this point.

I do not tolerate pain meds and definitely cannot work while I am taking them.  She has done 3 surgeries on me and did say the last one was very difficult because of all the scar tissue and adhesions.  She called in a gyn oncologist to assist.

I see my PCP tomorrow as a follow-up to the original diverticulitis diagnosis.  I will definitely ask for a second opinion.

[hopeshell]

There is a condition called ovarian remnant syndrome where a portion of the ovary is left behind and it can regrow.  It is also possible there was a surgical mistake.  But, I would be like you and have concern over this finding.  I wouldn't just leave it at that and would insist on more testing and follow-up.  Like AnnieBrooke said, a MRI may be a good start since it shows soft tissue much better than a CT.  It is possible the growth is an adhesion.  The good news is that they don't "think" it is serious.  That is good news that it doesn't seem like a malignancy.  Hang in there and insist on follow-up.  You had the scan because you have bothersome symptoms.   Have you had a colonoscopy?  I would think that would be essential also.  Good luck in finding answers and please let us know what they find.

Shelly

[AnnieBrooke]

It's going to sound peculiar, and I don't mean to make a comparison that will seem to reduce the seriousness of what you describe, but my cat had that happen.  She was spayed, and later came into heat.  Turns out, an ovary had been left behind.  The doctor who did the second surgery wondered what the first doctor took out instead.  

Probably, if what they are seeing on the CAT scan is really an ovary, all the adhesions and everything made the inside of your body confusing to the people doing the surgery.  I'd inisist on an MRI first, before going in for another surgery to remove the "ovary," just in case it's merely a loop of bowel or something that looks ovary-shaped.

Good luck.  I'd be a little annoyed!!!