Giant Retroperitoneal Leiomyoma: A Rare Presentation

Abstract

Leiomyoma is the most common benign solid tumor seen in women. It is most commonly located in the uterus, but it can originate wherever smooth muscle cells exist. Although it has been reported in various atypical locations, it is extremely rare in the retroperitoneum. We, herein report the case of a 49-year-old female with a giant retroperitoneal leiomyoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a giant solid mass about 41 cm x 32 cm x 15 cm, with well-defined borders, occupying all abdomen. The preoperative diagnosis was difficult. According to the imaging report, it was assumed to be a right intra-abdominal tumor with undefined character. Only at laparotomy, it was found to be in the retroperitoneum. The histopathology identified it as a retroperitoneal leiomyoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only case with such a large retroperitoneal leiomyoma reported in the current literature.