Abstract
Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial stroma
outside the uterine cavity. Endometrioma (chocolate cyst) is
the most common form of endometriosis. Primary umbilical
endometriosis (PUE) is rare, with a prevalence of < 1% of
endometriosis cases. Our case is a 25-year-old nulliparous
female with a three-year history of infertility presenting with
primary umbilical endometriosis and an abdomino-pelvic
ultrasonography finding of a right endometrioma, and a
solitary intramural uterine myoma. These three findings in
a patient are a rare occurrence. Abdominopelvic ultrasound
and excision biopsy was performed to arrive at a diagnosis.
Keywords
Endometrioma, Primary umbilical endometriotic nodule,
Intramural uterine myoma, Ultrasoundscan, MRI,
Laparoscopy
Check for
updates
chronic pelvic pain in patients with dysmenorrhea [5].
On average, there is a 7 to 10 years delay in diagnosis
[7]. Subcutaneous endometriosis describes the types
of endometriosis found in the skin and subcutaneous
tissues. It accounts for 0.03 to 0.15% of cases [1]. It
presents in two forms: Primary and secondary umbilical
endometriosis. Primary umbilical endometriosis, also
known as villar’s nodules (villar first described the
scenario in 1886), arises spontaneously with unclear
pathogenetic physiology, and it constitutes 75% of
cases of all umbilical endometriosis. The secondary type
Results
from surgical procedures (laparoscopic and open
surgeries) involving the umbilicus [8].
Case Description
A 25-year-old nulliparous female with a medical
history of infertility for three years presented with a
complaint of cyclic dull aching umbilical pain that has
been present for seven years and does not radiate.
The pain worsens during menstrual flow and is relieved
with analgesics. The patient also complained of
dysmenorrhoea and deep dyspareunia.
On physical examination, the vital signs were normal.
A hyperpigmented supraumbilical nodule was noted.
The nodule was warm, tender, and measured 2-3 cm in
size (Figure 1).
The rest of the exam was unremarkable. A differential
*Corresponding author: Ifeanyi Martin Okoye, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Westcare Specialist Hospital,
Lagos, Nigeria
Introduction
Endometriosis is a benign disease characterized by
the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus
[1,2]. Endometriosis can occur in nearly every tissue
and organ, including lungs, urinary tracts [3, 4] and the
ovaries [4]. It was first described in 1690 by a German
physician Daniel Schroen [1]. Endometriosis affects
roughly 10% (190 million) of reproductive-age women
globally [5]. Infertility is a common complication found
in four out of ten women who have endometriosis
[6]. In addition, endometriosis is implicated in 70% of
ISSN: 2377-9004
DOI: 10.23937/2377-9004/1410209
Okoye et al. Obstet Gynecol Cases Rev 2021, 8:209
• Page 2 of 5 •
noticed. The endometrial cavity was well demonstrated.
In addition to the endometriotic nodule, A small solitary
isoechoic mass was found in the anterior myometrium
measuring 1.2 cm × 2.2 cm in size suggestive of an
intramural uterine myoma seedling. Furthermore, a
right-sided unilocular cyst measuring 6.8 × 6.9 cm, with
an acoustic enhancement and a homogenous ground-
glass echotexture was found suggestive of a possible
endometrioma (Figure 3 and Figure 4).
An Excision biopsy of the supraumbilical nodule was
performed under general anesthesia to confirm the
diagnosis of a Sister Mary Joseph node was made to rule
out a possible endometriotic nodule. An abdominopelvic
ultrasound report showed a supraumbilical mass with
homogeneous echotexture measuring 2 cm × 3 cm
(Figure 2). The mass was attached to the underlying
rectus sheath. Sonodiagnosis of the pelvis revealed an
anteverted, non-gravid uterus measuring 5.8 × 4.5 mm
in length and Anteriorposterior diameter, respectively,
in addition the uterus showed a heterogeneous
myometrial echo pattern (Figure 3).
No intrauterine or extrauterine gestational sac was
Figure 1: Picture of the endometrotic nodule before excision.
Figure 2: Picture of the ultrasonogram of the umbilical nodule.
ISSN: 2377-9004
DOI: 10.23937/2377-9004/1410209
Okoye et al. Obstet Gynecol Cases Rev 2021, 8:209
• Page 3 of 5 •
Figure 3: Picture of the abdomino-pelvic sonogram of the endometroma, solitarymyoma (indicated by a blue arrow) and
the uterus.
Figure 4: Picture of the zoomed picture of the sonogram of the endometrioma.
ISSN: 2377-9004
DOI: 10.23937/2377-9004/1410209
Okoye et al. Obstet Gynecol Cases Rev 2021, 8:209
• Page 4 of 5 •
for the diagnosis is histological confirmation [1,8]. Other
diagnostically helpful tools include ultrasonography,
which is usually the first choice of evaluation, computed
tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and Doppler
ultrasonography [14].
The differential diagnosis of cutaneous umbilical
endometriosis includes lipoma, keloid, hypertrophic
scars, granuloma, hernia, cutaneous metastasis of
cancers, among others which were all considered.
However, these lesions do not present with cyclical pain
and discoloration of the mass as seen in this patient
[1,14].
The treatment for cutaneous umbilical endometriosis
is generally surgical excision, preferably performed at
the end of the menstrual cycle when the lesion is small
to clear all the margins to prevent recurrence [1, 14].
Our patient had surgical excision of the mass, which was
eventually sent for histology but no surgery was done
regarding the uterine myoma and endometrioma due
to financial constraints.
It can also be treated with hormonal therapy, such
as combining oral contraceptive pills and gonadotropin-
releasing hormone agonists like danazol, which were
not considered in the index patient as there was a
history of infertility [1].
Regarding the prognosis, recurrence is the
commonest problem encountered with endometriosis
following surgical treatment, Primary umbilical
endometriosis will recur more than endometrioma [15].
Conclusion
Since umbilical Endometriosis is a rare finding, a
high index of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis.
Any young lady of reproductive-age with a complaint
of a swollen painful umbilical nodule without any
surgical history should point towards this diagnosis.
As a result any patient suspected of primary umbilical
endometriosis should undergo detailed history,
examinations with investigations in order to confirm
and as well as look out for possible endometriosis in
other parts of the body.
The management and treatment in poor resource
countries can be a daunting task since the procedures
needed to confirm and manage the condition is not
easily accessible and when available, the price will be a
major turnoff for patients.
Acknowledgement
We hereby acknowledge the patient who gave us
the go ahead to write the case report and all the staff
of Westcare Hospital Ejigbo, Lagos Nigeria for the roles
they played in the management of the patient.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
diagnosis of the primary umbilical endometriosis.
The umbilical specimen was sent for a histology
review, and the histology examination showed a
specimen consisting of 2 pieces of amorphous greyish
white tissue both measuring 2.0 × 1.0 × 0.5 cm. Cut
sections are greyish white. Microscopic examination:
Of histologic sections of skin tissue showed islands
of unremarkable endometrial glands and stroma,
surrounded by hemosiderin-laden macrophages
suggestive of primary umbilical endometriosis. Further
workup to confirm the endometrioma with Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) and laparoscopy was
requested for the patient, but no further workup was
done due to financial limitations.
Discussion
Endometriosis is a common condition among women
of a reproductive age group that negatively impacts their
quality of life [9]. Histopathologically, it is defined by the
presence of endometrial stroma and glands outside the
endometrium [2,9].
While ovarian endometriosis is the commonest
form of endometriosis with a prevalence of 88% of all
cases of endometriosis [10], Cutaneous endometriosis
is a rare spread of endometriosis found on the anterior
abdominal wall, including those that arise from a
surgical incision or spontaneously [5,11].
It is identified by the presence of endometrial stroma
and glands in the skin [2]. This constitutes less than 1%
of all cases [2].
Cutaneous endometriosis can be primary or
secondary. Primary, also known as spontaneous
cutaneous endometriosis, is found in the absence of
surgery and usually located in the umbilicus, as seen in the
index patient [1]. The pathogenesis of endometriosis is
still not fully understood with Multiple etiopathogenesis
including genetic susceptibility, hormonal, immune and
environmental factors has also been discussed [12].
The presence of both endometrioma and extrapelvic
(umbilical) endometriosis can be explained by these
multifactorial etiopathogenesis [10].
Clinical features of endometriosis include cyclical
pain, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, swelling, and
even bleeding that correlates with their menstrual cycle
[13,14]. It is important to note that it is an important
cause of infertility [14]. Primary umbilical endometrosis
with an endometrioma coexisting with uterine myoma
has been reported in some publications [10].
The index patient experienced cyclical pain,
dyspareunia, and discoloration in the umbilical swelling
around her menstrual cycle. She also had a history
of 3 years of infertility. While it is not every patient
that presents with all these symptoms, some can be
asymptomatic [1]. While cutaneous endometriosis
could be suspected clinically, the current gold standard
ISSN: 2377-9004
DOI: 10.23937/2377-9004/1410209
Okoye et al. Obstet Gynecol Cases Rev 2021, 8:209
• Page 5 of 5 •
9. Hunt G, Allaire C, Yong PJ, Dunne C (2021) Endometriosis:
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10. Yunusa DM, Umar UH, Dahiru AMC (2019) Umbilical and
ovarian endometriosis coexisting with multiple uterine
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11. Saliba C, Jaafoury H, El Hajj M, Nicolas G, Ahmad HH,
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12. Sourial S, Tempest N, Hapangama DK (2014) Theories on
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13. Alimi Y, Iwanaga J, Loukas M, Tubbs RS (2018) The clinical
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14. Matei A-M, Draghici Ionescu A-M, Cioplea M, Zurac S,
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