Abdominal Mass in the Puerperium: Challenges in Diagnosis

Authors

  • Sadesvaran Muniandy
  • Yvonne Teo Chiang Hoon
  • Aehtoosham Suleman
  • Prakash Doddaballapur Ramaiah Faculty of Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51200/bjms.v13i3.1462

Keywords:

post-partum, puerperium, abdominal mass, ovarian carcinoma, pregnant

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women in Peninsular Malaysia. Epithelial ovarian cancer accounts for 90% of all ovarian tumours. Herein, we present a rapidly growing ovarian tumour in a young female patient, following an uneventful vaginal delivery at home. We discuss on the challenges of making said diagnosis in a post-partum patient who presented with abdomen distension. A 19-yearold lady presented to the Emergency Department three days after spontaneous vaginal delivery at home. Her chief complaint was that of a rapidly progressive abdominal distension. Diagnostic and therapeutic emergency laparotomy were done, revealing a huge cystic ovarian mass. Histopathology reported a high grade, serous ovarian carcinoma. There are multiple causes for abdominal distension in post-partum women, however priority should be given into looking for gynaecological origin, given the changes in hormone. Sudden abdominal distension during post-partum period is rare and a systemic approach in its management is vital. There is, inarguably, a role of diagnostic and therapeutic laparotomy in this.

Author Biographies

Sadesvaran Muniandy

Emergency and Trauma Department,
Hospital Duchess of Kent,
Sandakan, Sabah.

Yvonne Teo Chiang Hoon

Emergency and Trauma Department,
Hospital Duchess of Kent,
Sandakan, Sabah.

Aehtoosham Suleman

Emergency and Trauma Department,
Hospital Duchess of Kent,
Sandakan, Sabah.

Prakash Doddaballapur Ramaiah, Faculty of Medicine

Department of Surgery,
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah,
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Published

2019-09-28

How to Cite

Muniandy, S., Hoon, Y. T. C., Suleman, A., & Ramaiah, P. D. (2019). Abdominal Mass in the Puerperium: Challenges in Diagnosis. Borneo Journal of Medical Sciences (BJMS), 13(3), 37. https://doi.org/10.51200/bjms.v13i3.1462
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