diffuse peritoneal leiomyomatosis

Diffuse or disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis, also known as leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata, is an exceedingly rare benign disorder characterized by multiple vascular leiomyomas growing along the submesothelial tissues of the abdominopelvic peritoneum.

Epidemiology

It is usually discovered incidentally in women of reproductive age.

Pathology

Associations

• long-term use of oral contraceptives
• granulosa cell tumors of the ovary 
• pregnancy
• hysterectomy with power morcellation

Radiographic features

A spectrum of features can be seen ranging from multiple solid subcentimeter nodules like those in peritoneal carcinomatosis to large solid masses on both ultrasound and CT. These masses may show homogeneous or heterogeneous attenuation with a variable enhancement pattern similar to that of uterine leiomyomas.

MRI

May show multiple masses with signal intensity similar to that of skeletal muscle and smooth muscle on both T1WI and T2WI. Homogeneous enhancement following the administration of contrast material.

History and etymology

The condition was first defined by H D Taubert et al. in 1965 .

Differential diagnosis

General considerations include:

• peritoneal carcinomatosis: typically patients have associated weight loss, ascites, and disease progression observed at imaging

See also

• uterine leiomyoma
• diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis
• intravenous leiomyomatosis
• benign metastasizing leiomyoma

Siehe auch:

• Leiomyofibrom Uterus
• Peritonealkarzinose
• diffuse uterine leiomyomatosis
• Granulosazelltumor des Ovars
• parasitisches Leiomyom

und weiter:

• Leiomyom
• primäre peritoneale Neoplasien
• Leiomyomatose