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The Management of the Cotyledonoid Leiomyoma of the Uterus: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Cotyledonoid leiomyoma is an unusual uterine myoma due to some ultrasound features that mimic a malignant lesion facilitating the choice of radical surgery. This study aims to summarize the ultrasound and the magnetic resonance imaging aspects of this atypical lesion, and also discuss surgical treatment and pathological exam. It included all English case reports or case series until August 2021 found through PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. A total of 94 cotyledonoid leiomyomas were reported, with a median tumor size of 12 cm. The typical ultrasound image is characterized by a large solid heterogeneous mass, with high vascularity, no shadowing, and indistinct margins within the myometrium. Magnetic resonance imaging shows the presence of merging isointense nodules to the myometrium in T1-weighted images, hyperintense in T2-weighted images, and contrast agent enhancement. Surgical treatment consists of hysterectomy (75 cases, 80%) or myomectomy (19 cases, 20%), without evidence of recurrence if complete. The placenta-like appearance observed during surgery supports this rare fibroid hypothesis. The intraoperative frozen section can be considered. Microscopically, no atypical cells, signs of mitotic activity or cell necrosis are found. To conclude, some preoperative and intraoperative aspects of this lesion are distinctive and may lead surgeons to opt for conservative surgery.


Introduction
Cotyledonoid leiomyoma is a rare variant of uterine myoma that macroscopically resembles placental cotyledons [1]. Its large reddish and spongiform nodulations, often protruding into the pelvic cavity, are typical of this form of myoma. The tongues of its tissue can also invade the myometrium by dividing it, giving this type of myoma the term "dissecting" (cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma) [2], raising the suspicion of a possible infiltrative pattern, despite its total benignity. Although the diagnosis may be entirely accidental because occasionally it can be mistaken for a typical form of fibroma, in some cases, it takes on extremely atypical features that may lead to the suspicion of malignancy [3]. In particular, specific clinical experiences which showed a large size of the lesion, its intense vascularization and heterogeneity, and its tendency to invade adjacent structures such as the broad ligament, have raised the suspicion of malignancy and have led surgeons to opt for radical surgery [3,4].
Histology is the most accurate method to reach a definitive diagnosis for cotyledonoid leiomyoma. So far, no example of malignant behavior or recurrence have been reported in the typical form of cotyledonoid leiomyoma. However, histological variants will have to be placed in the proper context for these patients' optimal management. For instance, identifying variants with a more aggressive biological behavior and a potential vascular invasion tendency would be significant to guide the follow-up. Awareness of cotyledonoid leiomyoma variants is necessary for an accurate diagnosis and facilitates appropriate management decisions at the time of surgery.
Interestingly, increasing evidence suggests that ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging features, alongside the bulky mass placenta-like appearance during surgery, can substantially improve diagnosis quality. In particular, imaging evaluation can be an asset in managing patients who are appropriate candidates for fertility-sparing surgery and desire this approach. Indeed, imaging analysis would help evaluate the intrauterine tumor resection by myomectomy and the extrauterine tumor by excision.
Based on a recently published case report series [3], whilst performing a more extensive study of the literature, this narrative review aims to briefly describe the distinctive aspects of this particular form of fibroid, considering not only imaging studies, but also pathological examination and hormonal and surgical treatments.

Material and Methods
An English literature search was conducted from inception until August 2021 in the following databases: PubMed (Medline), Google Scholar, and Scopus. "Cotyledonoid leiomyoma", "cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma", "grape-like myoma", and "Sternberg tumor" were the search terms, and full-text articles were obtained to identify potentially eligible studies. Case studies and case series were included, while literature reviews and cases reported several times by the same authors in subsequent publications were excluded to avoid the same case being considered twice. Clinical and laboratory data were then studied, and the most significant imaging aspects were revised. Pelvic ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, surgical treatment, and pathological diagnosis were briefly discussed, based on all the available data. Limited data were achieved in most case reports' ultrasound and resonance features; therefore, we reported all the cumulative characteristics described.

Results and Discussion
A total of 94 cases with a histologically proven diagnosis of cotyledonoid leiomyoma (70 cases of cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma, 74.5%, and 24 of cotyledonoid leiomyoma, 25.5%) were collected, including our 13 cases recorded at the IRCCS Burlo Garofolo of Trieste and the Aviano Regional Cancer Centre [3].
The median age was 44 (range 21-73 years), covering the different ages of the women. Presenting symptoms were the same as for typical fibroids, such as the presence of abdominopelvic masses (38 cases, 40.4%), abnormal uterine bleeding (37 cases, 39.4%), abdominopelvic pain (12 cases, 12.8%), or abdominal swelling (3 cases, 3%), but cotyledonoid leiomyoma were also found incidentally (5 cases, 5.3%). Serum CA-125 was reported within normal limits or slightly increased [3]. Tumor size varied widely from 4 to 43 cm, with a median of 12 cm. The relationship between patient age and lesion size is described in Figure 1.
Many cases described in the literature report lesions located on the lateral wall of the uterus, although they can develop as a myoma in all uterine parts, even in the cervix and in the ovary. Because they often extend into the broad ligament and thus into the pelvic cavity, the suspicion of malignancy is even greater, especially in cases where the leiomyoma has a dissecting character. Table 1 summarizes all the cases described in this review with clinical symptoms, tumor size, pathological type, and therapy.

Figure 1.
Relationship between the size of the lesion and patient age. It should be noted that the largest number of cases is in the 34-46 age group, when conservative surgery should be proposed due to the possible desire for pregnancy. With advancing age, the size of the lesion decreases, probably due to the effect of hormone depletion typical of the menopause.    Abbreviations: CDL-cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma; CL-cotyledonoid leiomyoma; AUB-abnormal uterine bleeding; P-abdominopelvic pain; NS-not specified; TH-total hysterectomy; M-myomectomy; BSO-bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; SO-unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy; UPA-ulipristal acetate, BS-bilateral salpingectomy; A-appendicectomy; RH-radical hysterectomy; O-omentectomy; S-unilateral salpingectomy; R-unilateral parametrectomy, partial resection of the bladder wall and resection of the distal part of the ureter. * The maximum size of the lesion undergoing myomectomy is indicated in brackets if volume calculation is not available. ** Volumes of masses treated by myomectomy. a: In these four cases reported, a case already described in 1998 by the same author [23] is included, which has therefore been excluded from our review. b: 3 with perinodular hydropic change, 2 with intravascular growth, 1 with endometriosis, and 1 with endosalpingiosis; c: In these four cases reported, a case already described by Driss et al. in 2008 [59] is included, which has been therefore excluded from our review. d: 3 with perinodular hydropic change, 1 with intravascular growth, 1 with endometriosis, and 1 with endosalpingiosis.

Preoperative Assessment
Although considered benign tumors, the macroscopic appearance of these lesions associated with characteristic ultrasound features may induce malignancy suspicion.
The gynecologist can come across a heterogeneous irregular large mass with a high vascularization [4,42], no shadowing, and possible indistinct margins within the myometrium [3], described according to MUSA (the Morphological Uterus Sonographic Assessment) terms and definitions [60]. Most of these lesions are isoechoic compared to the myometrium and are surrounded by a capsule, which can be interrupted in the dissecting form. No sign of infiltration of pelvic organs, nor the parametrial involvement or the presence of ascites has been described in the typical form so far. Figure 2 shows some different features of ultrasound images of uterine cotyledonoid leiomyoma.
If required in the suspicion of infiltrative disease, pelvic magnetic resonance imaging can reveal a lobulated mass that shows isointensity to the myometrium in T1-weighted images, mostly hyperintensity in T2-weighted images, and contrast agent enhancement [3,4,26,34,41]. According to some authors [58], the appearance of the lesions in T2-weighted images can also be variable and more heterogeneous. On diffusion-weighted imaging, the lesion shows iso-signal intensity compared to the outer myometrium and the apparent diffusion coefficient map does not show restricted diffusion in the lesion [41].

Surgical and Hormone Therapies
Our data show that the majority of patients underwent a non-conservative treatment with a hysterectomy (80%), while simple tumor resection or myomectomy was carried out in only 19 patients (20%). The pre-surgical identification of a cleavage plan can guide the choice of the treatment. The cotyledonoid leiomyoma appears to have a capsule that creates the cleavage plane with the myometrium and thus effectively makes myomectomy possible. On the other hand, the capsule is present by ultrasound also in the cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma, but it is interrupted where it dissects the myometrium. Although myomectomy is easier in non-dissecting forms, even in the dissecting types it is feasible, regardless of the large size of the neoformation [1,10,45], as seen in Figure 3.
Hormone therapy with UPA (ulipristal acetate) or GnRH analogues has been described before myomectomy, resulting in improved symptoms and in reduction in mass volume [40,42], but available data are scarce and not sufficient to justify its use. Furthermore, as with typical fibroids, hormone therapy may change the consistency of the fibroid, making it less manageable and more prone to bleeding. Moreover, the cleavage plane would be difficult to identify during surgery. Not only is hormone therapy therefore not very popular with surgeons, but it is also limited by the possible side effects of the drug. Ulipristal acetate, in particular, has a limited use because it can cause acute liver failure. Furthermore, the use of hormone therapy in doubtful cases is not recommended. In these cases, in the face of suspicious preoperative aspects, we, therefore, reserve the right to complete the diagnostic course during surgery with direct visualization of the mass and possible frozen section.
Given the good outcome reported in cases treated with myomectomy, treatment options should be oriented to the simple resection of the tumor, especially in patients who are candidates for fertility-sparing surgery, while hysterectomy should only be considered if needed. Sometimes choosing minimally invasive surgery can be extremely difficult because the intraoperative macroscopic aspect and the preoperative ultrasound features may raise the suspicion of malignancy, inducing the surgeon to perform radical surgery. If recognized, some preoperative and intraoperative elements may help to correctly identify the type of the lesion (Table 2). In situations of doubt, we recommend performing the extemporaneous intraoperative exam because if the diagnosis is confirmed, complete myomectomy alone is the treatment of choice [16,31,40,42]. In cases of incomplete excision, regrowth has also been described [2,31,50], motivating the need for a complete myomectomy even in the most conservative situations. If resection of the tumor is complete, follow-up at 2 years has been shown to be negative [3].

Differential Diagnosis
The differential diagnosis must consider benign pathologies (typical myoma, degenerated cystic myoma, cellular fibroid, and intravenous leiomyomatosis), and malignant ones. The comparison and differentiation of cotyledonoid leiomyoma from uterine sarcoma is the actual difficulty. Uterine sarcoma may have a rapid growth and ultrasound images can show an intense vascularization with irregular distribution of vessels and several anechoic areas due to cell necrosis [61]. The magnetic resonance imaging can detect irregular margins of the mass, presenting heterogeneous contrast enhancement areas with slightly high signal intensity on T1-weighted images in the site of cell necrosis [62]. According to some authors [63], the diffusion-weighted imaging and the apparent diffusion coefficient values measurement on magnetic resonance imaging could differentiate leiomyosarcomas from benign leiomyomas. High signal intensity on diffusion-weighted imaging and low apparent diffusion coefficient values seem to be typical of malignant tumors, due to the higher cell density. Nevertheless, although there are clinical signs and ultrasound and magnetic resonance features that tend to be primarily one or the other lesion, histology is the most accurate method to reach a definitive diagnosis.

Pathological Findings
The pathological study of the cotyledonoid leiomyoma reveals only benign aspects (Table 3). Despite the unusual macroscopic placenta-like appearance, the lesion is composed of benign uniform smooth muscle cells, rich in vessels. Macroscopically, the tumor consists of multiple congested reddish processes protruding on the uterine surface and sometimes with a dissecting character on the myometrium. No signs of malignancy appear under microscopy: no atypical cells, no signs of increased mitotic activity, no coagulating tumor necrosis. In only one case [47], symplastic features were detected, because of the presence of mononuclear and multinuclear atypical, bizarre cells. Despite these atypical microscopic features, no evidence of recurrence was observed after a 36 month follow-up. Immunohistochemistry can confirm the benign leiomyomatosis nature of the lesion ( Table 4). The tumor cells stain strongly positive with muscle-specific actin, desmin, vimentin, caldesmon, estrogen, and progesterone receptors, occasionally with CD10 (cluster of differentiation 10) [13,14,25,59]. An additional immunohistochemical marker used to differentiate between benign and malignant myometrial tumors is Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), which prevents apoptotic cell death, promoting cellular replication. Normal myometrium shows negative to weak positive staining for Bcl-2. In leiomyoma, the Bcl-2 expression is more often and stronger than leiomyosarcoma and STUMP (smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential) [64]. According to some authors [65], the effect of this anti-apoptotic protein is enhanced by progesterone and leads to fibroid growth. In an immunohistochemical study by a Polish group [66] on four previously undescribed dissecting cotyledonoid leiomyomas, Bcl-2 was focally expressed in a single case and diffusely in the other three (a slight positivity was also reported in the manuscript of Shimizu et al. [43]). The whole immunohistochemical expression pattern (p16/Ki-67/bcl2-/WT-1/p53) was judged to be similar to that of usual type myomas and did not justify the macroscopic, placental-like appearance. Given the paucity of studies available on the cotyledonoid form, no major conclusions can be drawn. Additional new immunohistochemical markers, if identified, may help in doubtful cases.
Among these forms, Niziurski et al. [58] described a case of cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma with prominent hydropic degeneration which seems to have developed such an aggressive character enough to infiltrate 7 cm into the walls of the small intestine. During surgery, the involved intestinal tract had a thickening of the serosa and was in adhesion with the grapelike lesion of cotyledonoid leiomyoma, so surgeons decided to remove it together with the lesion. Microscopic examination revealed only benign features, but a complete immunohistochemical stain was not performed. Again, no recurrences or metastasis were found.
So far, only Kashima et al. in 2019 [54] have reported a case of cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma with intravascular growth (CD31 positive, which is not typical of cotyledonoid leiomyoma) and possible multiple lung metastases in a patient in whom there was evidence of round bilateral homogenous lung nodules by computed tomography imaging. The suspicion arose only from a cytological study of the smear specimen because the computedtomography-guided needle biopsy of the lung lesion was not conclusive. Furthermore, after gynecological surgery alone, there was no subsequent dimensional increase in these lung lesions or other emerging lesions. For these reasons and the absence of follow-up at more than three months, it is not possible to make a conclusive diagnosis, but there seems to be some doubt that the intravascular component form may indeed be aggressive. However, in all other cases of cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma with intravascular growth, there was no evidence of metastases and the follow-up remained negative.
Non-neoplastic cystic lesions within the cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma were also reported (7 cases), including in cases associated with adenomyosis [43,46], endometriosis and endosalpingiosis [23,29], and adenoleiomyomatous components [10]. According to some authors [43], the dissecting nature of the cotyledonoid leiomyoma favors the incorporation into its wall of several parts of the myometrium, which can be already affected by adenomyosis or endosalgingiosis. However, it is not yet clear whether there is similar pathogenesis.

Conclusions
Knowledge of this unusual form of fibroid and its dissecting variant is crucial in managing the lesion, mainly as it avoids unnecessary extensive surgery. In our opinion, the most significant elements in the diagnosis of cotyledonoid leiomyoma are the typical ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging features, and the placenta-like appearance of the bulky mass during surgery.
Further studies are needed to clearly define all variants of cotyledonoid leiomyoma, including their immunohistochemical expression. These insights will undoubtedly make it possible to comprehensively establish the possible vascular invasion tendency, allowing a more specific treatment for those variants.