HYDROPIC DEGENERATING LEIOMYOMA PRESENTING AS PSEUDO-MEIGS SYNDROME WITH ELEVATED CA-125

Background: Leiomyomas rarely cause pseudo-Meigs syndrome. Increased l evels of CA 125 often are associated with some types of malignancy. No reported case of pseudo-Meigs syndrome presenting with hydropic degen eration of uterine leiomyoma and an elevated CA 125 level could be fou nd on a MEDLINE search. Case: A 46-year-old woman presented with a ple ural effusion and a pelvic mass measuring 30 x 18 cm. Preoperative eva luation was remarkable for a CA 125 level of 254 U/mL. At laparotomy, the diagnosis was a benign leiomyoma with focal hyaline and extensive hydropic degeneration. Her pleural effusion resolved completely by 4 m onths postoperatively. Conclusion: Pseudo-Meigs syndrome can present w ith an elevated CA 125 level. (Obstet Gynecol 1998;92:648-9.)