Ovarian Cyst Case Study
On the 22nd of December 2010 a 14 year old Jamie Wilson woke up like any other day. She told her parents that she was experiencing very mild pain in her right left abdomen. Since it was not severe Jamie took an Advil and continued on with her day.
Last minute Christmas shopping took her and her parents into the city. The pain she felt in her side was returning and slowly becoming more and more intense. Her parents brushed it off as just regular aches and pains that growing girls experience.
With a sudden convulsion of extreme pain and a scream of pure agony her parents decided to take her to the hospital for a second look. By the time they reached the children’s hospital emergency doors Jamie could not even stand. The nausea had over taken her completely. Jamie’s parents carried her in and began the process of admitting her. As the nurse began to evaluate her, the nausea became too much for her and she began to vomit in the ER. The nurses immediately brought her into a private room and started filling her with fluids through an IV. Jamie had blood taken and it was sent away for testing.
At this point the doctors were suspecting an appendicitis. As soon as Jamie had enough fluids in her system she was taken for an ultrasound. This process caused her even more pain as they pushed on her abdomen. Unfortunately the doctors did not see anything in the ultrasound and they proceeded to order a CT scan. As the ink entered Jamie’s body she felt extreme heat which worsened her nausea. The CT scan also came back empty but the doctors were still convinced it was her appendix.
Throughout the night her vitals were checked and she was prepped for an appendectomy. After a restless few hours of attempting to sleep Jamie was into the final stages of surgery prep. A specialist came to exam Jamie right before the surgery and changed the course of the entire day. The specialist ruled out appendicitis and concluded that it was most likely a ruptured cyst on her right ovary. This would explain the lack of evidence in the ultrasound and CT scan.
Unfortunately there is nothing doctors can do about ovarian cyst’s so Jamie was discharged from the hospital and told to relax while she recovered. Within a few days she regained her strength and appetite. It was determined that an ovarian cyst was indeed the cause behind the pain.
Questions:
- What are the two main purposes of the ovaries?
- Which structures contribute to the movement of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus?
- What hormone promotes and maintains the endometrial lining?
- Briefly describe oogenesis?
- Why would someone with endometriosis have a normal ultrasound?
APA Format.
600-700 words
References and work cites
College level writing
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
This case study narrates a 14-year-old girl’s experience with an ovarian cyst and the medical diagnosis she received. As medical college students, it is important to understand the functions of the ovaries, structures that aid the movement of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus, hormones that promote and maintain the endometrial lining, and oogenesis. In addition, it is crucial to know the reasons why a person with endometriosis may have a normal ultrasound.
1. What are the two main purposes of the ovaries?
The two main purposes of the ovaries are to produce and store gametes (eggs) and to synthesize the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries are located in the female pelvic cavity, one on each side of the uterus. At birth, a female has approximately two million immature eggs stored in her ovaries, but only around 300-400 will mature and be released during a woman’s reproductive years.
2. Which structures contribute to the movement of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus?
The ovum (matured egg) moves from the ovary to the uterus via the fallopian tube, also known as the oviduct. The fimbriae, finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tube closest to the ovary, sweep the ovum into the lumen of the tube. The movement of the ovum through the fallopian tube is facilitated by the contraction of smooth muscles in the tube.
3. What hormone promotes and maintains the endometrial lining?
The hormone that promotes and maintains the endometrial lining is progesterone. Estrogen primes the tissue of the endometrium, making it receptive to implantation. Following ovulation, estrogen levels drop, and the corpus luteum of the ovary secretes progesterone, which thickens the endometrium and prepares it for implantation of a fertilized ovum.
4. Briefly describe oogenesis?
Oogenesis is the process of ova (eggs) formation in the ovaries. It begins in the female fetus, with the division of the precursor cells called oogonia via mitosis. At birth, these oogonia differentiate into primary oocytes that are arrested in prophase I of the first meiotic division. Puberty initiates the development of a single oocyte every month. A primary oocyte finishes the first meiotic division to become a secondary oocyte, which arrests again in metaphase II. If fertilization occurs during ovulation, the secondary oocyte completes meiosis when the sperm penetrates it, resulting in the development of an ovum and polar body.
5. Why would someone with endometriosis have a normal ultrasound?
Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the tissue similar to that of the endometrium grows outside the uterus, resulting in pain, inflammation, and scarring. An ultrasound can detect the presence of endometrial growths, but sometimes it can be normal in people with endometriosis. This is because the ultrasound machine cannot detect small growths, and not all growths are in areas that are readily visible via ultrasound. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a more sensitive diagnostic tool that can help detect smaller growths in people with endometriosis.
In conclusion, understanding the functions of the ovaries, structures that aid the movement of the ovum from the ovary to the uterus, hormones that promote and maintain the endometrial lining, and oogenesis is essential for medical college students. The case study highlights the importance of correct diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the need for sound medical knowledge and proper diagnostic tools.
