Introduction: Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL), also known as diffuse peritoneal leiomyomatosis, is a rare disease characterized by a subperitoneal proliferation of benign nodules, mainly composed of benign smooth muscle cells, macroscopically mimicking peritoneal carcinosis.
Case presentation: We report the case of a 60-year-old patient, with hypertension under treatment, being followed for the management of pauci-symptomatic abdominopelvic masses, evolving in a context of conservation of the general state, who underwent hysterectomy with adnexectomy by laparotomy for uterine myoma. Imaging revealed three masses, extending from the perigastric to the pelvic region, with areas of necrosis, moderate peritoneal effusion and lumbo-aortic and primitive iliac lymph nodes with small infracentimetric axes. The management consisted of a complete cytoreduction. Postoperative management was straightforward.
Discussion: DPL is a rare condition, with around 200 cases published in the literature. Its incidence is estimated at around 1/10,000,000, given the generally asymptomatic nature of the disease. The etiopathogenesis of this condition remains poorly elucidated, although several causal theories have been described in the literature, including hormonal, iatrogenic and congenital or hereditary. The management of DPL is not currently standardized, but surgery remains the gold standard.
Conclusion: DPL is a rare, benign condition characterized by subperitoneal proliferation of smooth muscle cells. It occurs most frequently in women of childbearing age, but can also occur in postmenopausal women and men. Treatments for DPL are not standardized, and further studies are required in the near future.
Keywords: Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis, Diagnosis, Case report, Incidence, Surgery, Pathophysiology, Management
Abbreviations: Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL)
