A case series of intravenous leiomyomatosis and literature review

Abstract

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is an uncommon benign smooth-muscle tumour of the uterus which invades into uterine and systemic veins. Although benign, this tumour may grow in the absence of, or beyond the confines of a uterine leiomyoma or fibroid, and has the potential to behave aggressively via extension of growth in the venous vasculature, upwards into the inferior vena cava (IVC) and into the right cardiac chambers. This can lead to serious cardiac and pulmonary sequelae. Rarer neurological sequelae and fatal cases have also been reported. Unless there is obvious IVC or intracardiac spread on preoperative imaging, IVL poses a diagnostic challenge. IVL has been reported in the literatu..