Myometrial myxoidosis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

Myometrium myxoidosis is new terminology to describe a non-neoplastic process of extracellular mucinous accumulation in the myometrium wall of the uterus. We report a rare association of myometrial myxoidosis with lupus erythematosus in a 35-year old woman with a history of leiomyoma. At presentation, this case was diagnosed as a pelvic abscess and treated with specific antibiotherapy, and then discharged after clinical improvement. One week later, after recurrence of the symptoms, the patient underwent hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and appendectomy with anterior abdominal soft tissue part resection. Pathological analysis revealed diffuse hypocellular myxoid areas intersecting the smooth muscle layer of the uterus and cervix in addition to a focal area in the interstitium of smooth muscles of the appendix and soft tissue of the anterior abdominal wall. This case emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between myxoid neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions with myxoid changes.