Massive necrosis of cervical ectopic decidua presenting in labour

Cervical and Vaginal Deciduosis: Insights on Management and a Systematic Review of Observational Studies on Pregnancy Complications and Management Outcomes (Including Vaginal Birth)

INTRODUCTION

Deciduosis is an ectopic transformation of connective tissue into decidual-like cells. This is the first systematic review describing the clinical course, associated pregnancy complications, and management outcomes of cervical and vaginal deciduosis.

METHODS

Our search covered worldwide observational studies published in English in five databases (PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), Europe PMC, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar) from inception to February 24, 2023. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and critically appraised studies using CAse REport (CARE) and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools. Then, we extracted patient characteristics, clinical features, management-related information, and outcomes.

RESULTS

The selection process identified 15 studies describing 30 pregnancies. Macroscopic cervical and vaginal deciduosis presented as recurrent vaginal bleeding in over 16 of 24 women (57%). Differential diagnoses included miscarriages, cervical pregnancy, placenta previa, and malignancy. Significant antenatal hemorrhages, preterm rupture of membranes, and preterm birth were the most frequent pregnancy complications. Only one of 27 electively performed procedures resulted in biopsy-induced uncontrolled vaginal bleeding (0.04%), suggesting the relative safety of the interventions. Lesion resection led to the cessation of recurrent symptoms in eight of eight patients (100%) compared to eight of 15 women (53%) under observation management. All women with polypoid deciduosis over 1.5 cm entered labor and delivered without complications.

CONCLUSIONS

We described the clinical course, pregnancy complications, diagnostic-related challenges, management, and associated outcomes in women with macroscopic cervical and vaginal deciduosis. We supported the analysis with the current state of the problem and discovered gaps for prospective studies.

Ectopic Cervical Deciduosis: A Rare Cause of Antepartum Hemorrhage in Mid Trimester

Decidual change is a key process required by the uterus to make itself ready for implantation. Presence of ectopic decidual tissue outside the uterine cavity is known as deciduosis. The clinical presentation can vary from being totally asymptomatic and subtle to presenting in the form of life-threatening emergencies like hemoperitoneum, recurrent pneumothorax, or even bowel perforation. Here, we present a case of ectopic deciduosis of cervix presenting in the form of severe life-threatening antepartum hemorrhage in second trimester of pregnancy.

Intrapartum hemorrhage secondary to circumferential ectopic cervical deciduosis: A case report

Introduction

Intrapartum hemorrhage constitutes a life-threatening obstetric complication and can have multiple etiologies. Some rare causes of intrapartum bleeding warrant consideration when assessing these patients. This case study represents one such instance where cervical deciduosis presented with bleeding relatively early in labor and explores the management that followed.

Case

A review was requested for a woman undergoing induction of labor due to intrapartum hemorrhage. On vaginal examination, a mass was palpated attached to the cervix which extended from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock. During emergency caesarean section, a circumferential, sessile, polypoidal mass was attached to the superior margin of the internal cervical os. Histopathology revealed cervical deciduosis.

Conclusion

With regard to this patient, it is unknown if this episode of cervical deciduosis (and the associated intrapartum hemorrhage) was the sole cause of fetal distress or if it was an incidental finding. It is worth remembering that although placental causes of intrapartum hemorrhage are foremost in our minds, there can be other structures and causes that lead to intrapartum bleeding. This shows the complexity that may be associated with intrapartum care.

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Cervical deciduosis is a benign pregnancy-specific finding, which usually self resolves.

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In this particular case study, it caused a significant intrapartum hemorrhage.

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At caesarean section a circumferential, sessile, polypoidal mass was found attached to the internal cervical os.

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Histopathology is required to confirm cervical deciduosis.

Deciduoma, a Large Intrauterine Mass of Deciduosis

Deciduosis is the presence of ectopic decidual tissue outside the uterus, pelvic, or abdominal organs usually associated with pregnancy. It usually presents as smaller lesions but can be larger vascular lesions. Typically, these masses are detected incidentally during operative procedures. Our patient was referred at 14 weeks for a large intrauterine mass detected on ultrasound examination that was initially thought to be an acardiac twin. The mass was highly vascularized. However, since the patient was asymptomatic, she strongly desired to continue the pregnancy. The pregnancy was followed closely from 14 to 39 weeks with serial ultrasound examinations. The vascularity was documented to diminish overtime and the mass appeared to convolute as well. Due to the decrease in vascularity of the mass, the patient was allowed spontaneous vaginal delivery at term. Following delivery of the fetus and the placenta, the mass was easily extracted manually without any complications.

Macroscopic deciduosis in pregnancy is finally a common entity

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of macroscopic deciduosis Found randomly in Cesarean sections and the secondary objective to determine the association with any obstetrical complications or adverse effects.

METHODS

This is a unicenter prospective study from 01/08/2011 to 01/02/2014. During the study period 307 consecutive Cesarean sections were performed with 31 biopsy proven cases of macroscopic deciduosis in the ovary, uterine and fallopian tube serosa.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 31.2 ± 5.4 years (range 13-43), the mean Body Mass Index was 26.3 ± 5.8 (range 15-48)kg/m(2), the mean term of Cesarean was 270 ± 25 days, and the mean fetal weight was 3094 ± 809 g. The majority of patients were Caucasian (n=175, 57.0%). Patients with deciduosis had a greater BMI (28.4 ± 5.3 kg/m(2) vs 25.7 ± 5.8 kg/m(2), p<0.05). The presence of pain was more frequent in the deciduosis group (10.1%, OR 5.78, 95%, CI [2.41-13.87], p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Deciduosis is a benign lesion during pregnancy that is not correlated with obstetrical complications. Our study has shown that this physiological phenomenon is more frequent that originally thought, being present in 10% of the Cesarean sections, and is associated with abdominal pain during pregnancy.

Cervical deciduosis imitating dysplasia

Ectopic cervical deciduosis is generally an accidental finding during pregnancy, and usually presents without any symptoms or need for therapeutic intervention. However, it can sometimes imitate dysplasia or carcinoma. We report a case of a 34-year-old G2P0, with a history of cervical dysplasia, presenting at 11 weeks of gestation, with vaginal blood loss. During examination, lesions mimicking dysplasia were found on the cervix. Histological examination reported cervical deciduosis. Deciduosis is a benign change during pregnancy and will resolve spontaneously. With the increasing use of cytology and colposcopy, the reported incidence is growing. When it is hard to differentiate between dysplasia and deciduosis, histological confirmation should be considered.