Introduction
Endometriosis is the abnormal location of the endometrial and
stromal glands. It occurs in 6-10% of women of reproductive
age [1,2]. This number increases to approximately 40% in
infertile women and near 75% with chronic pelvic pain [3]. The
pathophysiology of endometriosis is controversial. One theory
postulates that it can be caused by retrograde menstruation of
hormonal sensitive endometrial cells and tissues, implanting in
the peritoneum, and causing inflammatory responses [4]. Classic
symptoms associated with endometriosis are dysmenorrhea and
pelvic pain, nonetheless, the painless presentation with infertility
problems or an incidental ovarian mass in image studies is not
infrequent [5]. Seldom endometriosis presents with hemorrhagic
ascites, and since it was first described in 1954 by Dr. Brews, less
than 100 cases have been described [6]. We present a case of
a 39-year-old woman with an endometrioma associated with
hemorrhagic ascites.
Case Report
A 39-year-old woman with a history of type II diabetes mellitus and
systemic arterial hypertension presented hypogastric pain, early
satiety, and increased abdominal circumference in the prior nine
months. The patient reported a regular menstrual cycle coursing
her fourth day of menstruation. On physical examination, the
patient presented decreased bowel sounds and a palpable mass
in the hypogastrium.
The laboratory showed normal kidney, liver, and urine tests.
Elevated white blood cells count up to 19,510/mm 3 with 64.6%
polymorphonuclear neutrophils. The CA125 and CA19-9 serum
concentrations were 473.6 U/ml (normal, <35 U/ml) and 172.2 U/
ml (normal, 34 U/ml), respectively.
Pelvic ultrasound showed plenty of peritoneal fluid (Figure 1). The
uterus was normal in shape. We observed a right heterogeneous
ovarian mass predominantly hypoechoic, without flow on color
and power Doppler interrogation, measuring 10 x 9.7 x 8.5 cm
and 428 cm 3 of volume (Figures 2 and 3) . We performed a CT
abdomen with contrast showing hyperattenuating peritoneal
fluid that suggested hemorrhagic ascites (Figure 4).
The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy finding 800 mL of
chocolate-like liquid material in the peritoneal cavity. In the right
ovary, they resected an encapsulated mass measuring 15 x 10 cm.
Pathology confirmed the diagnosis of endometrioma (Figure 5).
Received: April 26, 2021; Accepted: May 17, 2021; Published: May 24, 2021
Ascitic Endometrioma Associated with CA125
and CA19-9 Elevation: A Case Report
Abstract
Endometriosis with ascites is a rare clinical presentation. We describe a case of a
39-year-old nulliparous woman who presented with hypogastric pain. Laboratory
analysis showed an elevation of CA-125 and CA19-9 serum concentrations. Pelvic
ultrasound revealed an ovarian mass and free peritoneal fluid confirmed by
computed tomography. The patient underwent exploratory laparotomy which
revealed a large amount of chocolate-like liquid material in the peritoneal cavity. In
the right ovary resected an encapsulated mass. Histologic examination confirmed
endometrioma diagnosis. Endometriosis should be considered in the differential
diagnosis in women of childbearing age presenting with ascites.
Keywords
Endometrioma; Ascites; CA125; CA19-9
2021
Vol.7 No.5:135
2 This article is available in: http://gynecology-obstetrics.imedpub.com/
Gynaecology & Obstetrics Case report
ISSN 2471-8165
presentation frequently results in an approach to malignancy due
to ovarian cancer as the first suspicion diagnosis in more than half
of patients presenting with hemorrhagic ascites [9].
The reason massive ascites can occur in association with
endometriosis is unknown. Bernstein suggested that blood and
endometrial cells are spread to the peritoneal cavity, irritating
and stimulating the peritoneum, therefore, resulting in ascites
[10]. Other authors have reported that endometrial cysts rupture
with subsequent peritoneal irritation and reactive exudated
production can explain [11].
Endometriosis associated with peritoneal fluid is commonly
confused with ascites due to pelvic neoplasm. Weight loss,
Discussion
Simultaneous occurrence of ascites and endometriosis is rare, with
less than 100 cases reported in the literature. Endometriosis is a
challenging condition in a reproductive age woman. The disease
spectrum varies from asymptomatic to complete weakness,
requiring aggressive medical and surgical intervention. As
mentioned above, the most common presentation of symptoms
is dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain. Our endometriosis associated
with hemorrhagic ascites case represents a seldom complication
of endometriosis. The patients with hemorrhagic ascites typically
debut with abdominal circumference increment pain in weeks
to months, anorexia/weight loss, and dysmenorrhea [7,8]. This
B-mode abdominal ultrasound. View of paracolic gutters
(A) and iliac fossas (B) demonstrating free peritoneal
fluid (L).
Figure 1
B-mode pelvic ultrasound. Shows a heterogeneous,
predominant echogenic, well-defined mass in the
hypogastrium.
Figure 2
Color Doppler pelvic ultrasound: Shows no internal flow
within the mass.
Figure 3
Contrasted abdominal computed tomography scan.
Axial (A) and sagittal (B) venous phase CT-scan at
pelvic level showing an ovoid, partially-defined margin,
heterogeneous mass associated with ascites.
Figure 4
2021
Vol.7 No.5:135
3© Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
Gynaecology & Obstetrics Case report
ISSN 2471-8165
poor appetite, and a pelvic mass contribute to this dilemma.
Moreover, the elevation of serum CA125 can be a confounding
finding compatible with malignancy [12-15].
Conclusion
The mechanisms related to the elevation of serum CA125 and
CA19-9 are not well established. Kurata suggested that the
spread of the molecules from a ruptured endometrioma to the
peritoneal cavity and then into the circulation may explain the
rapid increment of CA125 and CA19-9 concentrations. Another
hypothesis by Takemori suggests that chronic inflammation in
the peritoneum causes damage in the cyst epithelium resulting
in CA19-9 leakage to circulation resulting in the abnormal serum
levels of tumoral markers.
Macroscopic photograph of endometriosis cyst. Macroscopic specimen of endometriosis cyst (A) with
light brown-pink capsule and congestive vessels. At the section (B) chocolate-brown and a soft internal
surface.
Figure 5
References
1 Eskenazi B, Warner ML (1997) Epidemiology of endometriosis.
Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 24: 235-258.
2 Falcone T, Flyckt R (2018) Clinical management of endometriosis.
Obstet Gynecol 131: 557-571.
3 Tanbo T, Fedorcsak P (2017) Endometriosis-associated infertility:
Aspects of pathophysiological mechanisms and treatment options.
Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 96: 659-667.
4 Giudice LC (2010) Clinical practice: Endometriosis. N Engl J Med 362:
2389-2398.
5 Sinaii N, Plumb K, Cotton L, Lambert A, Kennedy S, et al.
(2008) Differences in characteristics among 1,000 women with
endometriosis based on extent of disease. Fertil Steril 89: 538-545.
6 Brews A (1954) Endometriosis including endometriosis of the
diaphragm and Meigs’ syndrome. Proc R Soc Med 47: 461-465.
7 Magalhães TF, Augusto K, Mota L, Costa A, Puster R, et al. (2018)
Ascites and encapsulating peritonitis in endometriosis: a systematic
review with a case report. Bras de Ginecol e Obstet 40: 147-155.
8 Sait KH (2008) Massive ascites as a presentation in a young woman
with endometriosis: A case report. Fertil Steril 90: 17-19.
9 Gungor T, Kanat-Pektas M, Ozat M, Zayifoglu-Karaca M (2011) A
systematic review: Endometriosis presenting with ascites. Arch
Gynecol Obstet 283: 513-518.
10 Bernstein JS, Perlow V, Brenner JJ (1961) Massive ascites due to
endometriosis. Am J Dig Dis 6: 1-7.
11 El-Newihi HM, Antaki JP , Rajan S, Reynolds TB (1995) Large bloody
ascites in association with pelvic endometriosis: Case report and
literature review. Am J Gastroenterol 90: 632-634.
12 Goumenou A, Matalliotakis I, Mahutte N, Koumantakis E (2006)
Endometriosis mimicking advanced ovarian cancer. Fertil Steril 86:
23-25.
2021
Vol.7 No.5:135
4 This article is available in: http://gynecology-obstetrics.imedpub.com/
Gynaecology & Obstetrics Case report
ISSN 2471-8165
13 Park BJ, Kim TE, Kim YW (2009) Massive peritoneal fluid and markedly
elevated serum CA125 and CA19-9 levels associated with an ovarian
endometrioma. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 35: 935-939.
14 Kurata H, Sasaki M, Kase H, Yamamoto Y , Aoki Y , et al. (2002) Elevated
serum CA125 and CA19-9 due to the spontaneous rupture of ovarian
endometrioma. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 105: 75-76.
15 Takemori M, Sugimura K (1991) Ovarian chocolate cyst with markedly
elevated serum CA19-9 level: A case report. Eur J Obstet Gynecol
Reprod Biol 42: 241-244.
Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below.
Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure
cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can
have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy
(via DOI)
is the canonical version.