CASE REPORT
Year : 2020 | Volume
: 9 | Issue : 3 | Page : 170--174
Endometriosis of the paralumbar muscles: A case report and literature review
Mareesol Chan-Tiopianco1, Chen- Yu Huang2, Ling- Yu Jiang2, Chiung- Ru Lai3, Peng- Hui Wang2, Yi- Jen Chen2,
1 Department of Surgical Services, San Lazaro Hospital; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ManilaMed - Medical Center Manila, Manila, Philippines
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital; Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
3 Department of Pathology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Yi- Jen Chen
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei; School of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Beitou District, Taipei, 11217
Taiwan
Abstract
The objective of this study is to report a case of deep endometriosis of the paralumbar muscles (psoas, multifidus, and erector spinae) and review existing literature on its management. A 34-year-old female with a history of endometriosis was seen for infertility. Paralumbar muscle masses seen on computed tomography (CT) scan were sampled, confirming endometriosis. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist was given for 2 months. The patient was primed for assisted reproduction. A literature review was conducted to provide an understanding of paralumbar muscle endometriosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of multifidus and erector spinae muscle endometriosis and fifth case of psoas muscle endometriosis. Because the available information is scarce, data from the existing literature on deep endometriosis may aid in the diagnosis and management. Magnetic resonance imaging and CT scan are essential imaging techniques to map lesions. Excision seems prudent, but the approach should be individualized depending on the patient's presentation and her preferences.
How to cite this article:
Chan-Tiopianco M, Huang CY, Jiang LY, Lai CR, Wang PH, Chen YJ. Endometriosis of the paralumbar muscles: A case report and literature review.Gynecol Minim Invasive Ther 2020;9:170-174
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How to cite this URL:
Chan-Tiopianco M, Huang CY, Jiang LY, Lai CR, Wang PH, Chen YJ. Endometriosis of the paralumbar muscles: A case report and literature review. Gynecol Minim Invasive Ther [serial online] 2020 [cited 2023 Mar 24 ];9:170-174
Available from: https://www.e-gmit.com/text.asp?2020/9/3/170/291266 |
Full Text
Introduction
Endometriosis is a common benign, inflammatory, estrogen-dependent condition with a prevalence that varies from 1% to 11.5% of women.[1] One of its three distinct expressions is deep endometriosis. Described as “deeply infiltrating endometriosis” or “adenomyosis externa,” it is characterized histopathologically as endometrial glands and stroma penetrating adjacent fibromuscular tissue, obliterating and substituting connective tissue septa.[2]
This article aims to report a case of deep endometriosis with endometriotic cysts of the paralumbar muscles – psoas, multifidus, and erector spinae muscles – and review the existing literature on its diagnosis and management.
Case Report
A 34-year-old married, nulligravid, regularly menstruating Taiwanese woman presented to the gynecology outpatient clinic for infertility. She underwent oophorocystectomy in 2012 for severe pelvic endometriosis and was given gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists for 6 months. She was subsequently lost to follow-up. Over the past year, she experienced dysmenorrhea of 5/10 severity, left flank soreness, urinary frequency, vomiting, dyschezia, and diarrhea associated with menstruation. A gastroenterologist performed biopsy of a mucosal lesion seen on colonoscopy, which confirmed endometriosis.
On pelvic examination, a nodular posterior vaginal fornix, slightly enlarged uterus, and a 7 cm × 7 cm left adnexal mass were palpated. CA-125 was 568.2 U/mL. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a left endometrioma, bilateral hydrosalpinges, and mild hydronephrosis. At the level of L4–L5, a 4-cm enhancing cystic lesion was seen at the area of and displacing the left psoas muscle. Another 4-cm enhancing cystic mass was found encroaching on the left multifidus and erector spinae muscles [Figure 1]. Retroperitoneal endometriosis was considered. Abscesses could not be ruled out.{Figure 1}
In view of the patient's desire for an immediate pregnancy, a complete extirpative surgery was excluded. On laparoscopy, both adnexa and rectum were plastered to the posterior uterine wall, occluding view of the cul-de-sac. Chocolate-colored fluid leaked from intraoperative rupture of the cystic ovaries. The patient underwent lysis of adhesions, bilateral oophorocystectomy, and bilateral proximal tubal occlusion. Double J ureteral stenting and cystoscopy revealed patent ureteral orifices and a submucosal nodule at the trigone. Postoperative CT-guided aspiration of retroperitoneal cysts was performed.
The histopathology report confirmed endometriosis [Figure 2]. Postoperatively, the patient was given monthly GnRH agonist subcutaneous injections. After 2 months, a repeat abdominal CT scan showed regression in the size of endometriotic lesions with the resolution of hydronephrosis. The ureteral stents were subsequently removed. Repeat CA-125 result was 39 U/mL. She is currently being primed forin vitro fertilization.{Figure 2}
Methods
PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Ovid Discovery were screened for the search terms, “psoas muscle,” “multifidus,” “erector spinae,” and “endometriosis” from inception until May 2019. Studies of endometriosis not involving any of the aforementioned muscles were excluded. Articles were assessed by two independent reviewers (MCT and YJC). Data such as author, date of publication, parity, clinical presentation, imaging, and interventions were then tabulated. The study was reviewed and approved by the Human Investigational Review Board of Taipei Veterans General Hospital (VGH) (VGH IRB: 2017-10-012AC).
Results
The method generated 13 articles, from which four relevant case reports were culled for qualitative analysis. All were cases of psoas muscle endometriosis. No study describing endometriosis of the multifidus or erector spinae muscles was found. The extracted data are summarized in [Table 1].{Table 1}
Discussion
Deep endometriosis occurs in 14.4% of women with endometriosis and is characteristically multifocal.[7] Commonly affected areas include uterosacral ligaments, vaginal fornix, rectovaginal septum, parametria, pouch of Douglas, rectum, rectosigmoid, bladder, ureter, and vesicouterine fold. Infrequently, endometriotic lesions may implant on other anatomic sites such as the abdominal wall, umbilicus, inguinal region, round ligament, thorax, and appendix.[7]
Paralumbar muscle endometriosis is extremely rare in a commonly occurring condition that is endometriosis. Only four cases of psoas muscle endometriosis have been documented. No multifidus or erector spinae muscle involvement has been previously reported.
The clinical presentation of endometriosis infiltrating the psoas muscle may be described as catamenial and is reported as back, hip, or leg pain with or without signs of lower extremity radiculopathy. Related symptoms include dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain. As with other forms of endometriosis, CA-125 levels may be increased. The index case presented with pelvic pain, gastrointestinal (GI), and urinary symptoms such as frequency and flank soreness, with nodularity of the posterior vaginal fornix. These and a history of surgery for endometriosis led to a diagnosis of deep endometriosis. The findings are consistent with studies that identify both GI and urinary tract systems as the most frequent sites of extragenital endometriosis. The rectum, sigmoid, and bladder are affected in majority of cases.[8]
Diagnosis
According to Redwine, ovarian cysts often coexisted with deeper pelvic and intestinal disease.[9] This observation and the presence of bladder lesions indicate the possibility of multiple organ involvement. Imaging techniques are thus critical in mapping lesions. Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS) is the diagnostic test of choice for screening deep endometriosis involving the rectosigmoid and rectocervical areas because of its higher sensitivity and specificity compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and manual pelvic examination.[10] However, this modality has limited sensitivity in detecting lesions at more posterior compartments. In one study, TVS detected rectosigmoid thickening but not psoas muscle involvement.[5] Therefore, it is less useful in mapping all endometriotic lesions prior to surgery.
MRI, CT scan, and a combination of positron-emission tomography-CT scan plus MRI have been used to diagnose retroperitoneal endometriosis. In the index case, the absence of nerve involvement or a palpable mass on physical examination precluded the clinical diagnosis of paralumbar muscle endometriosis. Likewise, pelvic, GI, or urinary tract symptoms may have confounded any pain from the growing retroperitoneal masses. This could explain why the lesions were discovered only incidentally on CT scan.
In this regard, the use of appropriate imaging techniques is crucial in diagnosing patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of multifocal endometriosis. MRI and CT scan are both useful in these situations, with MRI having a higher sensitivity and specificity in highlighting soft tissues in the abdominopelvic cavity and detecting multiple organ involvement.[11] With the five reported cases of paralumbar muscle endometriosis, three were reliably identified through MRI, whereas two from CT scan. However, due to the limited number of cases, the superiority of MRI over CT scan in detecting posterior muscular involvement remains inconclusive.
On imaging, psoas muscle endometriosis is characterized as an enhancing, multiloculated, heterogeneous, cystic or solid, retroperitoneal mass measuring between 4 and 10 cm in the greatest dimension. It is worth mentioning that in the case presented, hydronephrosis was seen on initial scan with resolution on subsequent imaging concurrent with tumor size reduction. This and the absence of ureteral endometriosis on laparoscopy are consistent with the compression of the left renal pelvis by a displaced left psoas muscle.
Treatment
Endometriosis resection is generally regarded as the treatment of choice for deep endometriosis.[9]. However, complete extirpation of endometriotic lesions may not be preferred for all patients with endometriosis, including those with infertility.
There are only a few studies about infertility and surgery for deep endometriosis. No definitive recommendations exist, and some studies are conflicting.[12],[13] The presence of infertility in deep endometriosis does not prove causality, but there appears to be a strong link between infertility and the presence of distinct endometriotic lesions in deep endometriosis.[13] These include superficial endometriotic implants, pelvic adhesions, endometriotic cysts, and adenomyosis. In contrast, deep endometriotic lesions are not exposed to the peritoneal cavity and are thus not implicated in the local inflammatory process in endometriotic lesions strongly associated with infertility. This lack of causality is insufficient to support surgery for infertility in patients with deep endometriosis.[13]
In view of the foregoing, the role of surgery in patients with deep endometriosis, particularly paralumbar muscle endometriosis, and infertility, remains to be elucidated. For this reason, it is important to make a comprehensive assessment of affected women and determine their individual needs based on their symptoms and desires for future fertility.
For patients opting medical treatment alone, hormonal therapy is essential in controlling symptoms. Pain is prevalent and is managed through menstrual cycle suppression. A systematic review on endometriosis identified that levonorgestrel intrauterine system, danazol, and GnRH agonists were all effective in achieving the desired effect.[14] A combination of GnRH agonist therapy and assisted reproductive techniques may also be effective in bolstering pregnancy rates.[12]
It is important to note, however, that there is a risk of recurrence for medical treatment without exeresis.[14] This must be considered when opting medical therapy, especially in women undergoing assisted reproduction. Long-term treatment plans should be discussed with the patient and entails working with a multidisciplinary care team.
In summary, this case report and literature review shows a paucity of data on paralumbar muscle endometriosis. At present, there are very few studies on psoas muscle endometriosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of multifidus and erector spinae muscle endometriosis. Because of the limited information available, existing literature on the multifocal deep endometriosis may aid in the diagnosis and management of paralumbar muscle endometriosis. A comprehensive patient assessment is necessary. TVS is limited to the assessment of pelvic and abdominal cavities and may not detect posterior abdominal wall lesions. The use of appropriate imaging techniques, such as MRI and CT scan, is thus essential to map lesions. Excision seems prudent in most cases, but the approach should be individualized depending on a patient's presentation and her preferences, with special consideration of those desiring future fertility.
Declaration of patient consent
The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient has given her consent for her images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patient understands that her name and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Acknowledgment
The authors express their gratitude to the Taipei VGH Medical Library, Dr. Patrick R. Ching, and Dr. Howard H. Lee for aiding in the access of electronic databases. Orthopedic inputs were provided by Dr. Bernardino B. Alpuerto II.
Financial support and sponsorship
This study was supported in part by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 104-2314-B-075-022, MOST 104-2314-B-075-058, and MOST 105-2314-B-075-038-MY2, MOST 108-2314-B-075-042 for Yi-Jen Chen), Taipei Veterans General Hospital (V106-EP-002, V106-C-065, V107-EP-001, V107-C-030, V108EP-001, VN108-13, and V108C-065, V109EP-001, V109C-097, VN109-10 for YJC).
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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