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Primary umbilical endometrioma: a rare case of spontaneous abdominal wall endometriosis

Authors Efremidou E, Kouklakis G, Mitrakas A, Liratzopoulos, Polychronidis

Received 24 August 2012

Accepted for publication 3 October 2012

Published 5 December 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 999—1002

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/IJGM.S37302

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 3



Eleni I Efremidou,1 George Kouklakis,2 Alexandros Mitrakas,1 Nikolaos Liratzopoulos,1 Alexandros Ch Polychronidis1

1First Surgical Department, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis; 2Endoscopy, Endoscopy Unit, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece

Abstract: Umbilical endometrioma is a rare condition, with an estimated incidence of 0.5%–1% in all patients with endometrial ectopia. Spontaneous abdominal wall endometriosis is an even rarer and more unusual condition with unclear pathogenetic mechanisms. A 44-year-old parous woman presented with an umbilical skin lesion, and no history of bleeding from the umbilical mass or swelling in the umbilical area. The initial clinical diagnosis was granuloma, and excision was planned. Pathology examination revealed endometrial glands with mucinous-type metaplasia surrounded by a disintegrating mantle of endometrial stroma. Clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging did not reveal pelvic endometriosis lesions, and given that the umbilical endometrioma was totally excised, no further treatment with hormonal therapy was proposed for the patient. Three years after excision, she was free of disease and no recurrence has been observed. Complete excision and histology is highly recommended for obtaining a definitive diagnosis and optimal treatment in spontaneous abdominal wall endometriosis.

Keywords: endometriosis, primary endometrioma, umbilical endometrioma

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