Fertility-sparing management of a suspicion of leiomyosarcoma: avoiding hysterectomy by performing transcervical myoma biopsy

Abstract

Objective: To describe the fertility-sparing management of an atypical uterine myoma.

Design: Step-by-step video explanation of transcervical biopsy using transabdominal ultrasound guidance, highlighting tips and tricks. Patient consent was obtained before the publication of the case.

Setting: University hospital.

Patient(s): A 32-year-old nulliparous woman with a history of dysmenorrhea was found to have an atypical myoma FIGO 6, with suspicion of leiomyosarcoma on magnetic resonance imaging.

Intervention(s): A transcervical biopsy of an atypical myoma was done under transabdominal ultrasound guidance. A myomectomy by a minimally invasive approach was performed without morcellation.

Main outcome measure(s): Feasibility of transcervical biopsy and correlation with definitive anatomopathological diagnosis.

Result(s): The patient was under general anesthesia. A hysteroscopy confirmed the normal appearance of the uterine cavity with no direct access to the myoma. Four core biopsies were performed with a 16-gauge needle transcervically under ultrasound guidance. The preliminary diagnosis of cellular leiomyoma allowed a fertility-sparing surgery. Myomectomy and surgical treatment of endometriosis were performed secondarily. This patient had a successful recovery, and the diagnosis of benign cellular leiomyoma was confirmed on the surgical specimen.

Conclusion(s): The current video highlights the safety and feasibility of transcervical ultrasound-guided core biopsy in patients with atypical uterine fibroids.

Keywords: Atypical leiomyoma; biopsy; fertility-sparing; ultrasound.