Abdominal Mass in the Puerperium: Challenges in Diagnosis

Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women in Peninsular Malaysia. Epithelial ovarian cancer accounts for 90% of all ovarian tumours. Herein, we present a rapidly growing ovarian tumour in a young female patient, following an uneventful vaginal delivery at home. We discuss on the challenges of making said diagnosis in a post-partum patient who presented with abdomen distension. A 19-yearold lady presented to the Emergency Department three days after spontaneous vaginal delivery at home. Her chief complaint was that of a rapidly progressive abdominal distension. Diagnostic and therapeutic emergency laparotomy were done, revealing a huge cystic ovarian mass. Histopathology reported a high grade, serous ovarian carcinoma. There are multiple causes for abdominal distension in post-partum women, however priority should be given into looking for gynaecological origin, given the changes in hormone. Sudden abdominal distension during post-partum period is rare and a systemic approach in its management is vital. There is, inarguably, a role of diagnostic and therapeutic laparotomy in this.