Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata in a pregnant woman.
BACKGROUND
Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is a rare disease occurring as intraabdominal benign tumors. The underlying mechanism of LPD development in premenopausal females is still unknown, but high levels of estrogen and progesterone seem to play a major role.


METHODS
We present a case of a 29-year-old gravida 1, 22 6/7 weeks of gestation with symptoms of an acute abdomen. Abdominal ultrasound and MRI showed intraabdominal masses of uncertain origin most likely to be an extreme example of pseudomyxoma peritonei. Explorative laparotomy was performed, and histopathological analysis revealed benign tumors classified as leiomyomatosis. A cesarean section was performed due to increasing abdominal pain and excessive elevated inflammatory serum parameters. Postpartum, a spontaneous regression of the LPD was marked.


CONCLUSIONS
LPD is a rare disease of young women. Excessive hormonal exposure seems to play a major role. Diagnosis is often difficult and a histopathological analysis is needed.
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold Heller Strasse 3, Kiel, Germany.
Birte
B
Summa
Christian
C
Schem
Marion
M
Weigel
Alexander
A
Strauss
Walter
W
Jonat
Nicolai
N
Maass
Fritz
F
Schäfer
Dirk O
DO
Bauerschlag
D000008:Abdominal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D018231:Leiomyomatosis / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic