An unexpected presentation of endometriosis--a "parasitic" cyst of the bowel in a menopausal woman on hormone therapy.

INTRODUCTION This report describes a "parasitic" endometriotic cyst of the small bowel. CLINICAL PICTURE A menopausal woman with a pelvic mass presenting years after commencing hormone therapy. TREATMENT We performed laparoscopic excision of a cystic tumour attached to the small bowel with a solitary vascular pedicle. OUTCOME Histology confirmed it to be an endometriotic cyst of ovarian origin, probably resulting from spillage during previous surgery and reactivation with hormone therapy. CONCLUSIONS We discuss the possible aetiology of this unusual presentation of endometriosis and review the literature on parasitic gynaecological tumours.