Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis: a devastating sequelae of unconfined laparoscopic morcellation

Recurrence complicated with peritoneal dissemination after single-port gasless myomectomy for cellular uterine leiomyoma: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Cellular uterine leiomyomas (CL) represent the prevailing subtype among uterine leiomyomas. In this study, we report a case of recurrent peritoneal disseminated uterine fibroids 2 years after single-port laparoscopic gasless myomectomy. This article endeavors to examine the potential limitations of the aforementioned surgical procedure and outline the distinguishing features of recurrent cases with primary postoperative pathology as CL. Additionally, it aims to provide a summary of previous retrospective studies on CL and propose the existence of immunohistochemical molecules that may serve as predictors for the postoperative recurrence of cellular uterine fibroids. The ultimate objective is to enhance clinicians' comprehension of the disease.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Two years ago, the patient underwent a single-port gasless laparoscopic myomectomy for uterine fibroids. Gynecological color Doppler ultrasound conducted 3 months ago revealed recurrence of uterine fibroids, and the patient experienced abdominal distension, mild urinary frequency, and constipation for the past month.

DIAGNOSES

After the second surgical procedure, a comprehensive pathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis of both the uterine mass and metastatic lesions revealed that the definitive diagnosis was CLs.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent the total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, pelvic adhesiolysis, omental mass resection, mesenteric mass resection, and pelvic peritoneal mass resection. All specimens were sent for rapid frozen examination and showed to be leiomyomas.

OUTCOMES

The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 10th day after the operation. At the date of writing the article, the patient had no recurrence for 1 year and 5 months.

LESSONS

The single-port gasless approach did not achieve the desired reduction in fibroid recurrence, as anticipated by the surgeon. The act of pulling the tumor towards the abdominal incision for resection, on the contrary, may serve as an iatrogenic factor contributing to postoperative recurrence of CL into peritoneal dissemination leiomyomatosis. The single-port gasless assisted bag may be a more suitable option for myomectomy. The utmost effort should be made to prevent the potential recurrence of myoma caused by iatrogenic factors.

Leiomyomatosis Peritonealis Disseminata Following Laparoscopic Surgery With Uncontained Morcellation: 13 Cases From One Institution

Objectives: To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) following laparoscopic surgery with uncontained morcellation and to summarize clinical features of iatrogenic LPD based on published literature together with our own experience.

Methods: A cohort of 13 cases with iatrogenic LPD diagnosed and treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2011 to 2020 was reported focusing on clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis.

Results: All the patients had a history of laparoscopic myomectomy with uncontained morcellation. The average age was 35.6 (range 25–47) years. The interval between initial laparoscopic surgery and first diagnosis of LPD was 6.08 years on average (range 1–12). Most of the patients had no obvious symptoms. The accuracy of pre-operative diagnosis was low. Two patients had been treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) before surgery without obvious effect. The nodules of LPD are usually located in the lower half of the peritoneal cavity. The most commonly involved site was the pouch of Douglas. The number of nodules ranged from 3 to over 10, and they ranged in size ranged from 0.3 to 22 cm. All patients underwent surgical treatment: six patients underwent laparoscopy and seven underwent laparotomy. Pathology results confirmed LPD. The immunohistochemical profile indicated LPD tends to be positive strongly for desmin, caldesmon, ER, PR and SMA. Only one patient underwent post-operative treatment with GnRH-a. All patients were followed for an average period of 49 months without recurrence.

Conclusion: Iatrogenic LPD is a relatively rare condition. Patients usually exhibit no hormonal stimulation factors. Surgery is the main method of treatment, and hormone suppressive therapy is only rarely used. The nodules are usually large and less numerous, and most involve the pelvis. The prognosis of iatrogenic LPD seems good.

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis: a case report and review of the literature

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL), also known as leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata, is a rare disease characterized by multiple benign smooth muscle tumors proliferating along the peritoneal surfaces. The cause of the disease is unclear, and possible factors include iatrogenic and hormonal stimulation. The patient was a 41-year-old Chinese woman with a history of laparoscopic myomectomy and subsequent pregnancy. Multiple abdominal masses were identified and required surgical intervention. The patient had no tenderness or other discomfort. The clinical and imaging diagnosis was gastrointestinal stromal tumor, but DPL was confirmed by postoperative pathological examination. The patient had a good prognosis, and no recurrence was observed during follow-up. Iatrogenic and hormonal stimulation leading to DPL is very rare, and we believe that multiple factors led to DPL in this case. Clinicians should be aware of such potential patients.

Treatment of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata with goserelin acetate: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is a rare condition characterized by multiple pelvic and abdominal nodules, which are composed of smooth-muscle cells. To date, no more than 200 cases have been reported. The diagnosis of LPD is difficult and there are no guidelines on the treatment of LPD. Currently, surgical excision is the mainstay. However, hormone blockade therapy can be an alternative choice.

CASE SUMMARY

A 33-year-old female patient with abdominal discomfort and palpable abdominal masses was admitted to our hospital. She had undergone four surgeries related to uterine leiomyoma in the past 8 years. Computed tomography revealed multiple nodules scattered within the abdominal wall and peritoneal cavity. Her symptoms and the result of the core-needle biopsy were consistent with LPD. The patient refused surgery and was then treated with tamoxifen, ulipristal acetate (a selective progesterone receptor modulator), and goserelin acetate (a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist). Both tamoxifen and ulipristal acetate were not effective in controlling the disease progression. However, the patient achieved an excellent response when goserelin acetate was attempted with relieved syndromes and obvious shrinkage of nodules. The largest nodule showed a 25% decrease in the sum of the longest diameters from pretreatment to posttreatment. Up to now, 2 years have elapsed and the patient remains asymptomatic and there is no development of further nodules.

CONCLUSION

Goserelin acetate is effective for the management of LPD. The long-term use of goserelin acetate is thought to be safe and effective. Hormone blockade therapy can replace repeated surgical excision in recurrent patients.

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis after uterine artery embolization, laparoscopic surgery, and high intensity focused ultrasound for uterine fibroids：a case report

BACKGROUND

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL) is a rare, generally benign disorder. With the advent of laparoscopic surgery for uterine fibroids, the reported number of cases of DPL has significantly increased since the introduction of unconfined power morcellation. Morcellation and other procedures may be associated with DPL.

METHODS

We present the case of a 48-year-old patient with DPL who underwent uterine artery embolization (UAE), laparoscopic myomectomy and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) 11 years, 6 years, and 2 years before the final diagnosis of DPL was made. A subtotal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy was performed to remove the uterus, the fallopian tube and the ovaries. We carefully excised as many visible lesions as possible.

RESULTS

After the surgical treatment performed in our center the patient became free of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

In our case, the occurrence of DPL is most likely associated with laparoscopic myomectomy using power morcellation. In addition, it should be noted whether some other factors played a role in stimulating the growth of the multiple nodules.