Pancreatic and Hepatic Metastasis of an Undiagnosed Choriocarcinoma: An Exceptional Cause of Haemoperitoneum in Young Women – Report of a Rare Case

Abstract

Haemoperitoneum in women of reproductive age usually suggests either ruptured ectopic pregnancy or ruptured ovarian cysts. Metastatic choriocarcinoma is considered the least common cause of haemoperitoneum in women of childbearing age. We report a rare case of pancreatic and hepatic metastasis of choriocarcinoma in a young, 30-year-old female who had delivered 10 months prior at term gestation with no previous history of gestational trophoblastic disease or molar pregnancy. She had a short history of fever and pain in the right hypochondrium, with findings of hypovolaemic shock due to intraperitoneal haemorrhage. Unfortunately, the patient expired with massive uncontrolled bleeding from liver metastasis despite 2 emergency laparotomies within 12 h. This case report is an apt reminder to clinicians to include metastatic choriocarcinoma on the list of differential diagnoses for haemoperitoneum with a positive pregnancy test in women of reproductive age to diagnose early and to avoid life-threatening consequences.

Keywords

• Haemoperitoneum
• Choriocarcinoma
• Metastasis