Fibroid Degeneration
Fibroid degeneration refers to changes that occur within a uterine fibroid when it outgrows its blood supply, leading to pain, inflammation, or alterations in its appearance on imaging. These changes can occur in any type of fibroid and may cause sudden or persistent pelvic pain. Degeneration can take several forms, including red (hemorrhagic) degeneration, hyaline degeneration, or cystic degeneration, each with characteristic imaging features.
What is it?
Fibroid degeneration occurs when a uterine fibroid loses adequate blood flow, causing parts of the fibroid to break down. This process can cause swelling within the fibroid, internal bleeding, or cystic changes. Different types of degeneration create different imaging appearances, such as bright areas on MRI during red degeneration or fluid-filled spaces in cystic degeneration.
Degeneration is more common when fibroids grow quickly, during pregnancy, or when they reach a size where blood supply can no longer keep up. While degeneration can cause sudden pain, it is not dangerous in most cases and often resolves with supportive care.
Important to Know
Pain from fibroid degeneration can mimic other pelvic conditions such as ovarian torsion or infection, making imaging important for accurate diagnosis. MRI is particularly useful for characterizing the type of degeneration and ruling out other causes of pelvic pain. Most cases improve over days to weeks with rest and medication.
Red flags include severe or worsening pain, high fever, heavy bleeding, or symptoms that do not improve, which may indicate another condition or complication. Long-term fibroid management may include medication, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery depending on symptoms and patient goals.