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.