http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/2320-1770.ijrcog20150449 Volume 4 · Issue 2 Page 508
International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Samal S et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Apr;4(2):508-510
www.ijrcog.org
pISSN 2320-1770 | eISSN 2320-1789
Case Report
Lipoleiomyoma in a postmenopausal woman: an incidental finding
Sunita Samal
1
*, Sunil Kumar Samal
1
, Jasmina Begum
1
, Anandraj Vaithy
2
INTRODUCTION
Primary fatty tumours of the uterus are very uncommon
and almost invariably benign.
1
These tumors most
probably represent tumour metaplasia within a
leiomyoma. There is no definite accepted nomenclature
for such tumours and it is suggested that they be
designated "uterine fatty tumours" and subdivided into
“lipoma” and “mixed lipoma/leiomyoma” (synonym
lipoleiomyoma).
2
Their reported incidence varies from
0.03 to 0.2%.
3
The usual site of occurrence is within the
abdominal cavity and retroperitoneum, although it may
also be found in the subcutis and muscular fascia.
4
Lipoleiomyoma is comprised of smooth muscle cells
along with diffuse and scattered lobules of adipose tissue
showing whorling at places. These tumours are seen in
uterus as intramural growths but rarely may be seen
arising in cervix and in broad ligament.
5
It generally
occurs in asymptomatic obese perimenopausal or
menopausal women. We report a case of uterine
lipoleiomyoma because of its rarity.
CASE REPORT
A 61 year old, multiparous postmenopausal woman
presented with intermittent lower abdominal pain of 10
days duration. She attained menopause at 50 years of age.
She was a known case of hypertension, diabetes mellitus
and hypothyroid on treatment for last 8 years. Pelvic
examination showed 14 weeks size mass which was non
tender, firm and mobile. Ultrasonography revealed a
uterine mass close to fundus measuring 9×8×8 cm
suggestive of fibroid but possibility of ovarian teratoma
was not ruled out. Endometrial thickness was 7 mm and
both the ovaries were sonologically normal. All the
standard serological and hematological parameters were
within normal range. As ovarian teratoma was one of the
differential diagnosis, tumor markers were tested which
were within the normal limit. After control of
hypertension and diabetic status, she underwent total
abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-
oophorectomy because of the large subserous fibroid. On
gross examination uterine fundus showed a solid mass of
9×8cm which was yellow in colour on cut section (Figure
1
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, MGMC & RI, Puducherry, India
2
Department of Pathology, MGMC & RI, Puducherry, India
Received: 12 February 2015
Revised: 14 February 2015
Accepted: 01 March 2015
*Correspondence:
Dr. Sunita Samal,
E-mail: sunisamal@rediffmail.com
Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
ABSTRACT
Lipoleiomyomas are rare variants of uterine leiomyoma, in spite of relatively common occurrence of leiomyomas of
uterus. Their reported incidence varies from 0.03 to 0.2%. These tumors generally occur in asymptomatic obese
perimenopausal or menopausal women. The presence of fatty tissue in the myometrium is interpreted as lipomatous
degeneration, smooth muscle metaplasia or as a benign tumour called as lipoleiomyoma. Imaging can play an
important role in determining the intrauterine location and fatty nature of lipoleiomyomas but most of these are
detected incidentally in histopathological findings postoperatively. We report a case of lipoleiomyoma in fundus of
uterus in 61 years old postmenopausal female, who presented with on and off abdominal pain.
Keywords: Lipoleiomyoma, Menopause, Smooth muscle, Uterus
DOI: 10.5455/2320-1770.ijrcog20150449