Acute urinary retention caused by a large impacted leiomyoma

Abstract

Objective: Both acute urinary retention (UR) and impacted pelvic mass are rare events in women. We report a case of complete UR caused by impaction of a large myomatous uterus.

Case: A 36-year-old virgin woman presented to the outpatient clinic of our department for further investigation of her pelvic mass. Abdominal sonography showed a solid, hypoechoic, 11 x 9 cm mass filling the pelvic cavity. After sonography, the patient was unable to void second time in that week and a Foley catheter had to be re-inserted. Laparotomy revealed a large myoma filling the entire pelvic cavity. The uterus-mass complex was impacted in the pelvis, leiomyoma had been compressing the uterus into the base of the pelvis. Myomectomy was performed.

Conclusion: It seems that complete UR associated with pelvic mass is usually a sign of pelvic impaction of the mass.