Incidental Discovery of a Lithopedion in an Elderly Woman: A Rare Case Report

Abstract

Background: Lithopedion, or “stone baby,” represents a rare sequela of untreated ectopic pregnancy in which a deceased fetus undergoes calcification and remains intra-abdominal, often for many years. Such presentations are notable for their insidious onset and diagnostic complexity. Case Presentation: A 48-year-old multiparous woman presented to the Department of General Surgery at Naogaon Medical College with intermittent lower abdominal discomfort and a firm, non-tender mass in the left lower quadrant. She denied any recent gynecologic complaints or history of pelvic surgery. Intervention and Outcome: Plain abdominal radiography and contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated a well-defined calcified fetal structure consistent with lithopedion. The patient underwent elective exploratory laparotomy, and the calcified mass was excised intact without intraoperative complications. Her postoperative course was unremarkable, and she remained asymptomatic at six-week follow-up. Conclusion: Clinicians should include lithopedion in the differential diagnosis of calcified abdominal masses in women—especially multiparous patients—in settings where prior ectopic pregnancies may have gone undetected.