Case Report
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Sep 26, 2025; 13(27): 108923
Published online Sep 26, 2025. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v13.i27.108923
Diagnostic and surgical management of giant broad ligament myoma with cystic degeneration: A case report
Xue Huang, Qiang Yao, Yi-Cheng Wu, Shi-Cong Liu
Xue Huang, Qiang Yao, Yi-Cheng Wu, Shi-Cong Liu, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Xue Huang, Qiang Yao, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
Author contributions: Huang X was primarily responsible for the conception and design of the study, data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation, as well as drafting and revising the manuscript; Wu YC contributed to the data collection and provided critical insights during the manuscript revision process; Liu SC assisted with the analysis and interpretation of imaging and pathological findings; Yao Q supervised the project, ensured adherence to ethical guidelines, and provided overall guidance throughout the research process; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Informed consent statement: Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Qiang Yao, MD, Chief Physician, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 20 Section 3, Renmin South Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China. qiangyao@163.com
Received: April 27, 2025
Revised: May 21, 2025
Accepted: June 17, 2025
Published online: September 26, 2025
Processing time: 102 Days and 1.2 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND

Leiomyomas or fibroids commonly originate from the uterus; extrauterine leiomyomas are rare and most often arise from the broad ligament. Diagnosing broad ligament leiomyomas becomes particularly challenging when they undergo degenerative changes because their clinical and radiological features often mimic those of ovarian tumors. We report a rare case of a giant broad ligament fibroid with cystic degeneration, which was initially mistaken for an ovarian mass.

CASE SUMMARY

A 49-year-old woman presented with mild abdominal distension and pain as the only symptoms. Upon abdominal examination, a large mass measuring approximately 30 cm and extending from the pelvic cavity to just below the xiphoid process was identified. Both transvaginal ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography suggested an ovarian origin of the mass. However, laparotomy confirmed that the mass originated from the right broad ligament. The mass was separated from the uterus and bilateral ovaries, with no involvement of the uterus or ovaries. The mass was completely resected with respecting the patient’s desire to retain her uterus and adnexa. Postoperative histopathological examination confirmed leiomyoma with cystic degeneration.

CONCLUSION

Broad ligament myomas mimic ovarian tumors; accurate diagnosis and careful operation are critical to avoid complications and ensure safety.

Keywords: Broad ligament myoma; Giant leiomyoma; Cystic degeneration; Ovarian tumor; Surgical management; Case report

Core Tip: This case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by giant broad ligament fibroids, particularly in the presence of elevated cancer antigen 125 levels mimicking ovarian malignancy. Comprehensive imaging and histopathological evaluation remain critical for accurate diagnosis and surgical planning.