Parasitic leiomyoma with myxoid degeneration mimicking malignancy: A case report and review of literature

Abstract

Parasitic leiomyoma is a rare, benign smooth muscle tumor occurring in an extrauterine location. Their unusual growth pattern may mimic malignancy and, hence, could pose diagnostic and management challenges. Myxoid degeneration is further rarer finding in leiomyoma. There are few published cases of parasitic leiomyoma in our setting, hence, this report. A 52-year-old female presented with 4-year history of painless, progressive abdominal swelling with associated anorexia, weight loss, and body weakness. Abdominal examination revealed non-tender, nodular mass of 24 weeks size. Ultrasound scan showed a large well-defined heterogeneously hyperechoic right pelvic tumor crossing the midline. She had exploratory laparotomy; however, the histology confirmed parasitic leiomyoma with myxoid degeneration. Parasitic leiomyoma is an uncommon extrauterine benign tumor that mimics abdominopelvic malignancies. Meticulous clinical evaluation with radiologic and pathologic findings is the key to the otherwise challenging diagnosis.