Abstract

Background: Lithopedion, a rare form of abdominal pregnancy, can simulate a uterine fibroid.

Objective: To describe a case of lithopedion simulating uterine fibroid.

Case report: A 42-year-old female received for chronic abdominal pain and constipation. Eight (8) years ago, she had a history of a completed pregnancy without any effective delivery. Her abdomen was distended, depressible. The palpation conducted revealed a hard, irregular, motionless and median abdominopelvic mass going back to the epigastrium. A ultrasonography study revealed an empty uterus with a seat of three large fibroids and a moderate bilateral pelvicalyceal dilatation. A laparotomy, by midline incision under the umbilical had objectified a median abdominal mass covered with intestinal and omental adhesions. After adhesiolysis, a calcified baby of 2.700 g was removed.

Conclusion: The lithopedion can simulate uterine fibroid in our African environment where the prenatal follow-up is irregular. The plain abdomen x-rays helped the diagnostic but not done in first intention because uterine fibroid is very frequent in black women.