Hyaline degeneration of a leiomyoma

Last revised by Mostafa Elfeky on 5 Jul 2022

Hyaline degeneration is the most common form of degeneration that can occur in a uterine leiomyoma

It is thought to occur in up to 60% of uterine leiomyomas 3.

As with many other types of degeneration, it happens when fibroids outgrow their blood supply 4. Hyaline degeneration involves the presence of homogeneous eosinophilic bands or plaques in the extracellular space, which represent the accumulation of proteinaceous tissue 1.

Typical signal characteristics of a leiomyoma with hyaline or calcific degeneration are difficult to distinguish from non-degenerated fibroids on pelvic MRI. Areas of calcification can appear as signal voids on MRI 2.

Therefore typical characteristics include 2,3,5:

  • T1: isointense
  • T2: hypointense
  • T1 C+ (Gd): low enhancement in comparison to regular leiomyoma

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