Vaginal leiomyoma: a case report

Abstract

Uterine fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyomas, are common benign tumors in women of reproductive age, with a reported prevalence of 20–80 %. Vaginal leiomyoma is a rare smooth muscle tumor and up to date approximately 300 cases of vaginal leiomyomas have been described in the literature. The tumors are often asymptomatic, but can cause dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary retention, and dyspareunia. These tumors’ usually occur as a single, well circumscribed mass arising from the midline anterior wall, and less commonly from the anterior and lateral walls. The article presents a case of a 49-year-old asymptomatic woman who had a mass in the right lateral wall of the vagina discovered incidentally during ultrasonography. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a solid, homogeneous mass in the right lateral vaginal wall with well-defined margins measuring 35 × 26 × 43 mm. The mass was completely excised via vaginal approach. The postoperative recovery of the patient was uneventful. Histopathological and immunohistochemical (smooth muscle actin – SMA) studies confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyoma. She was reviewed in the gynecology clinic 6 months later and there was no evidence of recurrence. Transvaginal approach with complete surgical excision is an effective approach to treatment of vaginal leiomyomas.