Uterine lipoleiomyoma in an elderly patient: a case report

Background Uterine lipoleiomyoma is a rare, fat-containing, benign tumor. The clinical features and optimal treatment of this tumor remain unclear. Case An 80-year-old woman with an extensive cardiac history was referred for assessment of a huge pelvic mass. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a uterine tumor with inhomogeneously high signal intensity. A fat suppression technique showed heterogeneous suppression of the signal intensity, with areas of increased enhancement after Gd-DTPA administration. Hysteroscopy revealed no abnormal findings in the endometrium. She underwent a simple total abdominal hysterectomy, with a preoperative diagnosis of uterine liposarcoma. Histological examination revealed a uterine lipoleiomyoma. Ten days after surgery, she died due to acute non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia. Conclusion In cases where the radiological appearance of a uterine tumor in an elderly patient is suspicious for liposarcoma, the possibility of a benign lipoleiomyoma should be considered. Careful consideration of the patient's preoperative condition and familiarity with uterine fat-containing tumors are essential for determining an optimal therapeutic approach.