Seeing red degeneration in uterine fibroids in pregnancy: proceed with caution

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of women with adenomyosis pain during pregnancy: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

Adenomyosis is associated with unfavorable perinatal outcomes, and recent case reports show that some women with adenomyosis experience pain at the adenomyosis lesion during pregnancy and have detrimental perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to clarify the clinical characteristics of this pain and perinatal outcomes associated with this phenomenon.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective analysis of pregnant women with adenomyosis. The incidence of pain onset at adenomyosis lesions, defined as persistent pain at the adenomyosis site with administration of analgesics for pain relief, and its association with perinatal outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 91 singleton pregnancies with adenomyosis, 12 pregnancies (13.2 %) presented with pain. One pregnancy resulted in second-trimester miscarriage, and 5 of the 11 pregnancies (45 %) developed preeclampsia, which resulted in preterm delivery, and 3 of the 12 pregnancies (25 %) achieved term delivery. The incidence of preeclampsia and preterm delivery was higher in those who experienced pain than in those without (45 % [5/11] vs. 15 % [11/74]; p<0.05, and 73 % [8/11] vs. 34 % [25/74]; p<0.05, respectively). Among women with pain, the maximum C-reactive protein level was significantly higher in women who developed preeclampsia than in those who did not (5.45 vs. 0.12 mg/dL, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that adenomyosis can cause pain in over one of eight pregnancies with adenomyosis, which may be associated with the increased incidence of preeclampsia resulting in preterm delivery. Women with pain, especially those with high C-reactive protein levels, may be at high risk for future development of preeclampsia and consequent preterm delivery.

Differential Diagnosis of Uterine Leiomyoma Torsion Mimicking Ovarian Torsion in a Second Trimester of Pregnancy: A Case Report

In patients with acute abdomen, especially during pregnancy, it is difficult to suspect myoma torsion initially due to its rarity. However, when these patients have a solid mass in the pelvis, torsion of uterine fibroids or adnexa and large infarct inside leiomyoma are the main diagnoses that must be differentiated. We report a case of uterine myoma torsion mimicking ovarian torsion in the second trimester of pregnancy that was successfully managed by laparoscopic myomectomy. A 31-year-old pregnant woman with severe right lower abdominal pain at 21 + 2 weeks of gestation was transferred. On ultrasonography, the appendix appeared normal but a solid mass (7.0×4.0 cm) containing a cystic portion was observed on the right side of the uterus. The mass had no blood flow and tenderness appeared on the transducer pressure. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 7 cm edematous mass with low signal intensity on T2-weighted image, instead of a normal-looking right ovary. These findings led to suspicion of right ovarian torsion. One day after admission, the patient's symptoms worsened with acute elevation in C-reactive protein (CRP) (4.55 mg/dL) and neutrophile-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (10.1), despite the use of analgesics and tocolytics, and uterine contractions were not controlled. Emergency surgery was performed, and the final diagnosis was a uterine leiomyoma torsion. Laparoscopic myomectomy was successfully performed, and symptoms were relieved after operation. She had full term vaginal delivery without complication. The differential diagnosis between myoma torsion and ovarian torsion is challenging in patients with acute abdomen during pregnancy. To exclude ovarian torsion, a comparison with an asymptomatic contralateral normal ovary will be very helpful. When fibroids are found in mothers with an acute abdomen, follow-up of NLR and CRP is related to preterm labor and can be a reference point for considering surgery.

Case of suspected torsion and amputation of myoma during pregnancy

Introduction

Uterine myoma occurs in 1.6–2% of pregnancies. Most myomas during pregnancy are asymptomatic, but 10–20% may develop complications. The most common complication is abdominal pain, usually caused myoma degeneration or torsion of a pedunculated myoma.

Case presentation

A 40-year-old pregnant woman was transferred with severe left upper abdominal pain with suspicion of left ovarian torsion at 32 weeks of gestation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a 9.8 cm-sized oval mass abutting the uterine fundus, suggesting subserosal myoma with degeneration. She was admitted for pain control, and the pain was relieved in a few days with conservative management. Two years later, she revisited our hospital for the treatment. Total laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingectomy was performed. A 6-cm isolated solid mass adhering to the omentum in the pelvic cavity was observed intraoperatively. The trace on the anterior wall of the uterus was considered to be a broken pedicle that had initially connected the mass.

Clinical discussion

In our case, the patient had severe abdominal pain, and ultrasound and MRI findings suggested subserosal myoma degeneration. A retrospective diagnosis of torsion was made following the surgery, which was assumed to cause the pain during pregnancy, and that an amputation occurred during or after the pregnancy.

Conclusion

Diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations and radiologic examination, however, it is usually difficult to diagnose preoperatively, especially among pregnant women who have diagnostic test limitations. Therefore, if a pregnant woman with a myoma complains of abdominal pain, various possibilities should be considered

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Myoma torsion can cause severe abdominal pain.

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Torsion should be considered in pregnant women with myoma if their abdominal pain.

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This case of torsion and amputation of myoma during pregnancy demonstrating the importance of clinical diagnosis.

Successful Cesarean Myomectomies of Large Uterine Fibroids: Two Cases and a Literature Review

Case series

Patients: Female, 34-year-old • Female, 36-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Leiomyoma

Symptoms: Pregnancy

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Myomectomy

Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology