Pedunculated fibroids are non-cancerous uterine growths attached to the uterine wall by a peduncle, a stalk-like growth. Those that grow inside the uterus are known as pedunculated submucosal fibroids, and those that develop outside the uterus are known as subserous pedunculated fibroids.
Pedunculated fibroids can be painful, particularly if the peduncle becomes twisted. The risk of the peduncle twisting increases as the fibroid grows larger.
Other painful symptoms that are often associated with these fibroids are uterine cramps, as well as pressure on the uterus along with other organs.
This sub-mucosal fibroid even causes irregular bleeding during menstrual such as light spotting or regular bleeding all the time. Women with constant bleeding may undergo heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle.
When a peduncle is determined to be 2cm or more in width, a process called Uterine Artery Embolization is indicated. This procedure blocks the blood supply to the growths so that they begin to deteriorate and eventually die. This procedure has been found to be more successful with subserousal fibroids than with any other kind of fibroid.
Doctors at the Bretonneau Hospital in France have found that up to 10% of patients who undergo Uterine Artery Embolization for pedunculated fibroids encounter regrowth of their fibroids after 2 years. For this reason, they recommend that the procedure be repeated after 2 years.
Another procedure often used to treat pedunculated fibroids is a myomectomy. In this procedure, the surgeon removes the fibroid and repairs the uterus. Myomectomy is not always 100% successful. In one case reported by the University of South Dakota, an unsuccessful myomectomy was performed, leading to an emergency hysterectomy for the patient.
Because the success rate for myomectomies is not 100%, women are usually asked to sign a waiver that specifies a hysterectomy if the surgery is not successful. Some women have gone in for one procedure and awakened after having two.
