Abstract

The case of a 42-year-old woman with virilization, hirsutes, and a high level of circulating testosterone is described. A hilar cell tumour of the ovary was found, the histological features of which were typical, with the presence of crystalloids of Reinke, hyaline bodies, lipid, and lipofuscin. Some areas showed appearances similar to those seen in `adrenocortical cell' tumours. In common with other lipid cell tumours of the ovary, hilar cell tumours most probably arise from mesenchymal elements and the group should, therefore, be considered as a subdivision of the gonadal stromal (sex cord-mesenchymal) tumours.