Diagnostic performance of preoperative MR imaging findings for differentiation of uterine leiomyoma with intraligamentous growth from subserosal leiomyoma

Surgical treatment of a very rare case of a huge intraligamental leiomyoma of the uterus: A case report and mini‑review of the literature

Intraligamental leiomyomas of the uterus are rare. Extremely rare are the huge intraligamental fibroids (>20 cm), whose pre-operative diagnosis and surgical management poses a challenge to everyday clinical practice. The present study describes the case of patient who was subjected to surgical treatment for a huge intraligamental leiomyoma of the uterus, which weighed 3,370 g. A 48-year-old patient, without menstrual disorders and with a medical history of atypical symptoms from the digestive tract, was referred for a gynecological examination. Upon a physical examination, the abdomen was found to be bloated and distended, with no signs of peritoneal irritation. An intra-abdominal mass was suspected, the upper margin of which was palpable at about the level of the xiphoid process. The findings of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a huge intra-abdominal mass, which probably originated from the internal genital organs. Following consultation with the patient, surgical treatment with laparotomy was decided. Intraoperatively, a large pedunculated subserosal leiomyoma was found, arising from the right lateral wall of the uterus with retroperitoneal extension within the leaves of broad ligament. Following the resection of the intraligamental leiomyoma, which had significant surgical challenges, a total hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy was performed. The post-operative course was smooth. In addition, in the present study, a brief review of intraligamental leiomyomas of the uterus is presented, emphasizing the significant diagnostic and surgical challenges and potential intraoperative complications that may arise in the management of patients with this condition.

Primary Large Broad Ligament Fibroid: A Challenge in Surgical Practice

Primary broad ligament fibroids, whose surgical treatment is challenging, are extremely rare. Our case concerns the surgical treatment of a large broad ligament fibroid. A 48-year-old patient, asymptomatic and with a medical history of uterine leiomyomas, came to the gynecology outpatient clinic to undergo a routine gynecological examination. On bimanual pelvic examination, the presence of a painless palpable pelvic mass was found, without being able to clinically demarcate it. Computed tomography imaging confirmed the clinical suspicion of a pelvic mass. The pelvic mass was more consistent with the subserosal pedunculated fibroid of the uterine corpus, but the preoperative diagnosis of adnexal mass cannot be excluded. It was decided to surgical treatment of the patient with a total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy-oophorectomy. Intraoperatively, the presence of a large intraligamental mass was detected. The uterus, cervix, and ovaries were normal but displaced by the tumor. After resection of the leiomyoma from the broad ligament, where it was not found to be connected to a vascular pedicle from the lateral wall of the uterine corpus or the cervix, total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy-oophorectomy were performed, due to the necessary resection of the right fallopian tube and ovary and the extensive injuries in the area. The postoperative course was uneventful. In this paper, following the case presentation, a brief review of primary broad ligament fibroids is presented, emphasizing the significance of comprehensive preoperative planning in the challenging intraoperative management of these patients, who have an increased risk of intraoperative complications.

Review of uterine fibroids: imaging of typical and atypical features, variants, and mimics with emphasis on workup and FIGO classification

Uterine fibroids are the most common gynecologic neoplasm. Although non-degenerated fibroids are easily identifiable on imaging, degenerated fibroids, fibroid variants, and fibroids with unusual growth patterns can constitute a diagnostic dilemma. Identification of these abnormal morphologic features can alter the diagnosis of presumed uterine fibroids and hence change management plans. This article reviews the typical and atypical radiologic imaging features of uterine fibroids, with an emphasis on the pitfalls, mimics, and radiologically identifiable features that can alter clinical management plans.