Uterine Leiomyoma : Red Degeneration

Comments:
Red Degeneration: Uterine leiomyomas may undergo hemorrhagic infarction during pregnancy - a phenomenon referred to as red degeneration. It occurs in about 8% of tumors complicating pregnancy. The patient presents with severe abdominal pain, fever, and leukocytosis.

Red degeneration occurs due to venous obstruction or thrombosis at the periphery of the tumor. The cut surface is pink or red, soft, and homogenous with loss of whorled appearance. Microscopically, it shows ghosts of smooth muscle cells.

Image courtesy of: Roshan Nasimudeen, MD; Micro Health Laboratories, Kozhikode, Kerala, India; used with permission.