Meigs Syndrome:Etiopathophysiological Basis of Clinical Manifestations and Medico Surgical and Nursing Modalities

Meigs syndrome is defined as the triad of benign ovarian tumor with ascites andpleural 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. In 1934, Salmon described the association of pleural effusion with benign pelvic tumors. In 1937, Meigs and Cass described 7 cases of ovarian fibromas associated with ascites and pleural effusion. The syndrome was named as Meig's syndrome by Rhoads and Terrel in 1937. In 1954, Meigs proposed limiting true Meigs syndrome to benign and solid ovarian tumors accompanied by ascites and pleural effusion, with the condition that removal of the tumor cures the patient without recurrence. Histological, the benign ovarian tumor may be a fibroma, thecoma, cystadenoma, or granulosa cell tumor. Pseudo-Meigs syndrome consists of pleural effusion (an example of which can be seen in the image below), ascites, and benign tumors of the ovary other than fibromas. These benign tumors include those of the fallopian tube or uterus and mature teratomas, struma ovarii, and ovarian leiomyomas.