Giant Uterine Fibroid with Vascular Pseudocyst and Intrauterine Rupture: A Rare Life- Threatening Emergency
Discuss this preprint
Start a discussion What are Sciety discussions?Listed in
This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.Abstract
Background Uterine fibroids are common benign tumors, yet their potential for life-threatening vascular complications is exceedingly rare. This report details an exceptional case of hemorrhagic shock caused by a ruptured vascular pseudocyst (pseudoaneurysm) arising from the stalk of a giant pedunculated uterine fibroid. Case Presentation A 45-year-old premenopausal woman presented with painless vaginal bleeding culminating in hemorrhagic shock (hemoglobin 57 g/L). Pelvic imaging revealed a 25 cm pedunculated fibroid originating from the lower uterine segment. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) identified a critical finding: a 2.0 × 1.5 cm vascular pseudocyst at the stalk base, supplied by aberrant hypertrophied uterine arteries and showing evidence of rupture. Emergency hysterectomy confirmed a bleeding pseudoaneurysm at the fibroid's peduncle. Histopathology confirmed a benign, degenerated leiomyoma and a pseudoaneurysmal cavity devoid of endothelial lining, consistent with a vascular pseudocyst. Conclusion This case illustrates that large pedunculated uterine fibroids, while typically benign, can rarely develop stalk-based vascular pseudocysts (pseudoaneurysms) leading to catastrophic hemorrhage. In patients presenting with a pedunculated pelvic mass and acute symptoms, prompt CTA evaluation for vascular anomalies is crucial. Early recognition and immediate surgical or interventional radiological management are vital to prevent life-threatening outcomes.