title: Myomectomy during early pregnancy.
abstract: Abdominal pain during early pregnancy may be caused by leiomyoma of the uterus. Inconsistency of uterine size and gestational dates in a pregnant patient with acute abdominal pain may be the first sign of leiomyoma. This 31-year-old primigravida presented with progressively worsening lower abdominal pain at 12 weeks gestational age. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a large fundal heterogeneous mass and an intrauterine gestation compatible with her menstrual dates. Exploratory surgery and myomectomy confirmed a large leiomyoma showing benign degenerative changes. The operative procedure was successful, and the pregnancy progressed normally. An elective cesarean section was performed at 37 weeks gestation after confirming fetal maturity by amniocentesis and serial ultrasonography. Abdominal pain in a pregnant patient with leiomyoma uteri may be attributable to degenerative changes in the myoma. Surgical intervention during pregnancy is occasionally necessary in uncommon cases of intractable pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI 96859-5000, USA.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Wittich
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Salminen
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Yancey
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Markenson
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000379:methods; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014481:United States; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*