Rare gynaecological emergency: massive intraperitoneal haemorrhage from spontaneous rupture of a superficial vessel on a large leiomyoma

Uterine leiomyomas rarely present as gynaecological emergencies. We report a case of a 29-year-old nulliparous woman, with a negative pregnancy test, who presented with collapse and an admission haemoglobin count of 68 g/L. Urgent CT of the abdomen revealed a 14x19x10 cm uterine fibroid and intraperitoneal free fluid. Emergency laparotomy confirmed massive intraperitoneal haemorrhage from a large serosal vessel on top of a 19 cm subserosal fibroid. A myomectomy was performed, preserving this patient's fertility. Histopathology confirmed a benign leiomyoma with hydropic changes.