Torsion of pedunculated subserous uterine leiomyoma: A rare complication of a common disease

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical presentations, diagnosis, management, and outcomes of torsion of the pedunculated subserous uterine leiomyoma.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with subserous uterine leiomyomas undergoing surgeries at National Taiwan University Hospital from January 2001 to December 2015.

Results: Five cases of torsion of pedunculated subserous uterine leiomyoma were identified. All presented with sudden onset abdominal pain. Two patients received emergent surgeries, the other three cases received scheduled surgeries. The postoperative courses of these five women were uneventful without sequelae.

Conclusions: Torsion of pedunculated subserous uterine leiomyoma is rare. Accurately diagnosing it prior to surgery is a major challenge. It should be one of the differential diagnosis in patients with uterine leiomyoma presenting with acute abdomen.

Keywords: Abdominal pain; Emergency; Myomectomy; Subserous leiomyoma; Torsion.