Meigs syndrome- a review article

Meigs syndrome is defined as the triad of benign ovarian tumor with ascites and pleural effusion that resolves after resection of the tumor. Ovarian fibromas constitute the majority of the benign tumors seen in Meigs syndrome. Meigs syndrome, however, is a diagnosis of exclusion, only after ovarian carcinoma is ruled out. Cause of this syndrome is a fibrous growth in a woman’s ovary which causes abnormal levels of sex hormone production. The essential management is surgical removal of the tumour. Before operation, aspiration of pleural effusion and ascites may be required to improve pulmonary function. Although there is difficulty in discerning the diagnosis of Meigs' syndrome from that of an ovarian malignancy, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis in postmenopausal patients with an ovarian mass, hydrothorax, ascites, and elevated CA 125.