Differential Diagnosis for Ground Glass in a 40-year-old

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

• Fibroid: Uterine fibroids are common in women of reproductive age and can cause ground glass appearance on imaging due to their degeneration or calcification.

Other Likely Diagnoses

• Adenomyosis: A condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows into the muscular walls of the uterus, which can cause a ground glass appearance on imaging.
• Endometrial Hyperplasia: A condition characterized by the thickening of the lining of the uterus, which can appear as ground glass on imaging.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): While not directly causing a ground glass appearance, PCOS can lead to conditions that might result in such imaging findings, such as multiple small cysts in the ovaries.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

• Endometrial Cancer: Although less common, endometrial cancer can present with a ground glass appearance on imaging and is critical to diagnose early due to its potential for aggressive behavior.
• Ovarian Cancer: Similar to endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer can sometimes present with ground glass appearance in the ovaries and is crucial to identify early for better prognosis.

Rare Diagnoses

• Uterine Sarcoma: A rare type of cancer that originates in the muscle and supporting tissues of the uterine walls, which can occasionally present with a ground glass appearance.
• Lymphoma Involving the Uterus: Extremely rare, but lymphoma can involve the uterus and present with non-specific imaging findings, including a ground glass appearance.
• Metastatic Disease to the Uterus: Rarely, cancers from other parts of the body can metastasize to the uterus, potentially causing a ground glass appearance on imaging.