Massive ascites as a presentation in a young woman with endometriosis: a case report

Objective

To report a case of endometriosis associated with massive ascites and an elevated CA-125 level.

Design

Case report.

Setting

Tertiary care center.

Patient(s)

A 26-year-old woman presented with massive ascites and an increased CA-125 level suggestive of ovarian cancer.

Intervention(s)

Ultrasonography, laparotomy, and bilateral ovarian cystectomy and reconstruction. Endometriosis was diagnosed postoperatively on the basis of histopathology. The patient received 6 months of treatment with a GnRH analogue.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Ultrasound examination 6 months after surgery to evaluate for ascites or recurrent ovarian cysts.

Result(s)

Frozen sections obtained at laparotomy and ovarian cystectomy ruled out a malignancy. The final histologic report was compatible with a diagnosis of endometriosis. After 6 months of treatment with the GnRH analogue, the patient experienced a progressive reduction of the ascitic fluid and full remission after 2 years.

Conclusion(s)

Endometriosis associated with massive bloody ascites is an unusual occurrence. This report draws attention to this condition as a complication of endometriosis. For this reason, endometriosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of reproductive-age women presenting with an apparent ovarian malignancy.

Key Words: Endometriosis, ovarian cancer, ascites