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Review
. 2011 Feb;117(2 Pt 1):396-403.
doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31820780e3.

Uterine leiomyomas: individualizing the approach to a heterogeneous condition

Shannon K Laughlin  1 , Elizabeth A Stewart
Affiliations
Review

Uterine leiomyomas: individualizing the approach to a heterogeneous condition

Shannon K Laughlin et al. Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Feb.
No abstract available

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Class 0 submucosal leiomyoma. On transvaginal ultrasonography (A), a central myoma is seen, but the relationship to the endometrial cavity is unclear (thin arrow). With a sonohysterogram (B), the complete intracavitary extent is clarified (thick arrow).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Etiology of uterine leiomyomas. Leiomyomas are heterogenous in their natural history and etiology. Hereditary defects in the FH, BHD, and TSC2 genes and somatic alterations affecting HMG2A genes contribute to the development of leiomyomas, as do risk factors such as obesity, parity, and race. Tumor growth occurs by an increase in tumor cell number and extracellular matrix production and is promoted by both endocrine and autocrine growth factors. Reprinted from Walker CL, Stewart EA. Uterine fibroids: the elephant in the room. Science 2005;308:1589–92. Reprinted with permission from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrating leiomyoma compressing (A) the bladder and (B) the spine (thin arrow) and colon (thick arrow). Bulk symptoms from leiomyomas include decreased bladder capacity and outflow obstruction, constipation, back pain, and sciatica.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Degenerating leiomyomas seen on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; A; arrow) and on T1-weighted MRI (B) with gadolinium contrast.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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