Bizarre Presentations Of Leiomyoblastoma Of The Stomach: A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Two cases of leiomyoblastoma presenting 15 years apart, in the same centre each in a bizarre manner, but with excellent outcome on treatment are presented.

First case, a 52 yr old university don of Ibibio extraction presented at the emergency room in 1987, with a two-day history of abdominal pain, progressive abdominal distension with respiratory distress, fainting and weakness. The patient was optimized while urgent urinalysis; full blood count, electrolytes urea and creatinine were obtained. Exploratory laparotomy was carried out, which revealed a bleeding tumour on the greater curvature of the stomach. The tumour was excised and histology showed it to be leiomyoblastoma of Stout 1. Today, 16 yrs on, the patient is alive and well. The second case, a 60yr old peasant farmer again of Ibibio extraction seen in the surgical outpatient with a mass in the epigastrium of about 6 months duration. The mass had one month before presentation, undergone sudden increase in size, becoming painful in the process. Ultrasound scan of the mass, gave an impression of a pseudocyst of the pancreas. At surgery a solid tumour of gastric origin with central haemorrhagic necrosis was found and was completely excised by partial gastrectomy. Histology revealed it to be leiomyoblastoma (epitheloid leiomyoma) with areas of haemorrhage within the tumour. No other treatment was given. Follow up of the patient for 17 months now remains uneventful.

Key Words: Stomach, epitheloid leiomyoma, leiomyoblastoma, leiomyosarcoma

Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol.7(2) 2004: 99-101