Management of Hematometra and Hematocolpos in Obstructive Mullerian Anomalies by Image-Guided Drainage with Interventional Radiology: A Multi-Institutional Case Series.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe cases of image-guided drainage of symptomatic hematometrocolpos from obstructive Müllerian anomalies as a temporizing measure to manage acute pain symptoms and delay definitive management of the obstructive Müllerian anomalies that require complex reconstruction METHODS: Institutional Review Board exemption from all included institutions was obtained. A retrospective case series from 3 academic children's hospitals of 8 females under the age of 21 with symptomatic hematometrocolpos due to obstructive Müllerian anomalies drained by image-guided percutaneous transabdominal vaginal or uterine drainage with interventional radiology was reviewed and described. RESULTS: Eight pubertal patients with obstructive Müllerian anomalies (6 patients with distal vaginal agenesis, 1 patient with an obstructed uterine horn, and 1 patient with a high obstructed hemi-vagina) and symptomatic hematometrocolpos are reported. All patients with distal vaginal agenesis had greater than 3 cm lower vaginal agenesis, which would usually require complex vaginoplasty and use of postoperative stents. Given their immaturity and inability to use stents or dilators postoperatively or medical complexity, they subsequently underwent ultrasound-guided drainage of hematometrocolpos with interventional radiology to relieve pain symptoms, followed by menstrual suppression. The patients with obstructed uterine horns had complex medical and surgical histories requiring perioperative planning; they also underwent ultrasound-guided drainage of hematometra as a temporizing measure to manage acute symptoms. CONCLUSION: Patients presenting with symptomatic hematometrocolpos due to obstructive Müllerian anomalies might not be psychologically mature enough to undergo definitive complex reconstruction, which requires vaginal stent or dilator use postoperatively to prevent stenosis and other complications. Image-guided percutaneous drainage of symptomatic hematometrocolpos serves as a temporizing measure by offering pain relief until patients are ready to undergo surgical management and/or to allow time for complex surgical planning.

Laparoscopic resection of functional, noncommunicating uterine horn in close approximation to functional hemiuterus.

OBJECTIVE: To review the presentation of unicornuate uterus with a functional noncommunicating rudimentary uterine horn and a laparoscopic method of management, highlighting laparoscopic surgical techniques. DESIGN: A video review of unicornuate uterus with a functional noncommunicating rudimentary uterine horn and a laparoscopic approach to treatment in a 13-year-old pubertal female with severe menstrual pain. SETTING: Tertiary care facility. PATIENT(S): A 13-year-old G0 was referred to the clinic for severe cyclic right lower quadrant pain during menses. Transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a left unicornuate uterus with a right-sided noncommunicating rudimentary horn measuring 4.8 × 4.7 × 4.6 cm, containing blood consistent with hematometra. Her kidneys were bilaterally present and normal by ultrasonography. INTERVENTION(S): Because of the patient's worsening pain and the presence of hematometra, we proceeded with diagnostic laparoscopy and removal of the rudimentary uterine horn. The entire procedure was performed laparoscopically, with an estimated total blood loss of 20 mL. Included are tips for laparoscopic resection and suturing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Pathologic features and postoperative course. RESULTS: The patient's pathologic features were benign, and her severe menstrual pain was resolved. She had no complications or readmissions. CONCLUSION(S): In patients with severe menstrual pain from outflow obstruction from a noncommunicating rudimentary uterine horn with functional endometrium, laparoscopic resection can be a safe and effective method of treatment.

Pre-, intra-, and postoperative management of Robert's uterus.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate a minimally invasive approach and management in three different types of Robert's uterus. DESIGN: Video presentation of surgical and ultrasound techniques. SETTING: University hospital and two private centers. PATIENTS: Patients with three types of Robert's uterus; a rare form of septate uterus consisting of non-communicating hemicavity, a contralateral unicornuate uterine cavity in a single uterine body with normal fundus: with large hematometra in the blind hemi-cavity and acute pelvic pain; with an inactive blind hemi-cavity without hematometra and recurrent miscarriages; and with small hematometra in the blind hemi-cavity. INTERVENTIONS: Three-dimensional ultrasound with saline infusion sonohysterography and automatic volume calculation software (SonoHySteroAVC) were used for differential diagnosis and surgical planning. Transrectally guided hysteroscopic metroplasty, a incision of myometrium between two parts of cavities by resectoscope and Collin's electrode, were performed and recorded. Sequentional balloon anti-adhesion therapy and three-dimensional ultrasound with saline infusion sonohysterography with SonoHysteroAVC were used in post-operative management. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre-, intra- and postoperative findings regarding uterine morphology, feasibility of surgery and anatomical and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A successful unification of non-communicating and communicating uterine cavity parts during surgery, better shape and several times higher volume of uterine cavity, and total elimination of pain associated with obstruction after healing period were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional ultrasound techniques seem to be the best tool for complex pre- and postoperative management of Robert's uterus. Minimally invasive ultrasound-guided hysteroscopic metroplasty should be considered as the first choice of treatment because of the potential for normalization of uterine morphology and function.

Endometrial cancer after radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma: A radiological approach.

Clinical and pathological aspects of endometrial cancers that develop after radiation therapy for cervical carcinoma have been studied for years but their imaging features have not yet been described. To determine these features, we performed a retrospective study that included all patients of our institution that were diagnosed with an endometrial cancer after being submitted to radiation therapy for cervical cancer and that performed computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at the time of the diagnosis, in a period of 11 years. We found 13 patients meeting these inclusion criteria. A wide range of morphologies were observed: single solid tumors (46%); single mixed tumors (15%); large heterogeneous multifocal tumors (15%) and multifocal small polypoid tumors (15%). Large tumors were frequent at presentation, with 65% of the lesions measuring more than 5 cm (mean, 7.4 cm; range, 1.2-14.9 cm). Hematometra was a striking feature that was present in 85% of the cases, with a mean volume of 318 mL and was associated in 91% of the cases with cervical stenosis, a known complication of pelvic radiotherapy that could justify a delay in symptoms presentation. Post-radiotherapy changes and hematometra limited the utility of MR imaging in local staging. Distant metastases could be promptly diagnosed with CT or MR imaging and were observed in 42% of the patients. These rare heterogeneous tumors should be considered after radiotherapy for cervical carcinoma, especially when hematometra is observed. Aggressive histological presentations and delayed symptoms due to cervical stenosis are responsible for an unfavorable prognosis.

Robotic-assisted Reconstruction of the Cervix and Vagina by Small Intestinal Submucosa Graft and Fusion of the Hemiuterus.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe our technique of robotic-assisted reconstruction of the cervix and vagina using a small intestinal submucosa (SIS) graft and fusion of the hemiuterus. DESIGN: A step-by-step explanation of the procedure using video. SETTING: Congenital complete vaginal and cervical atresia is rare. Some patients have urinary system abnormality. No standardized surgical treatment guideline was available, and the performance varies for each patient. INTERVENTIONS: We performed a robotic-assisted reconstruction of the cervix and vagina using an SIS graft (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN) and fusion of the hemiuterus for a 12-year-old girl from China diagnosed with congenital vaginal and cervical atresia (U4C4V4). She complained of severe abdominal periodic pain for 2 months. Mammary development and her serum sex hormone were within normal range. The patient has a single kidney. The diagnosis was made according to clinical characteristics, physical examination, and magnetic resonance imaging and classified using the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology /European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESHRE/ESGE) system. There was a hematometra of 7-cm diameter in her pelvis. We constructed a novel vagina by sharp and blunt separation and connected it to the uterine cavity. With the SIS graft, we reconstructed her cervix and vagina, and we fused the hemiuterus to make the uterine cavity spacious. The operating time was 260 minutes, and blood loss was 300 mL. She recovered well after the operation without any complications. After surgery, the patient has had normal menstruation without pain. She insists on wearing the vaginal mold 24 hours per day. The follow-up was 10 months. The length of the vagina was 9 cm and the width was 3 cm. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted reconstruction of the cervix and vagina using an SIS graft and fusion of the hemiuterus is feasible and safety. However, additional studies are required.

Unique Case of Imperforate Hymen.

BACKGROUND: Imperforate hymen typically presents in adolescence with pain, hematocolpometra and primary amenorrhea. This case documents a previously unreported etiology for an atypical presentation with a history of recent menstruation. CASE: A female adolescent presented with symptoms of urinary retention and leg pain. She reported a history of irregular, painful menses. Clinical examination revealed a pelvic mass and imperforate hymen. Sonography was consistent with hematocolpometra. Before a planned hymenectomy, the patient began to pass dark blood through a fistulous opening in her vulva. Hymenectomy resulted in complete resolution of the pain and hematocolpometra. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Identification of the fistulous tract explained the patient's history of menstrual bleeding despite an imperforate hymen. Spontaneous rupture of hematocolpometra through a fistulous tract to the vulva is a previously unreported atypical presentation of imperforate hymen in a "menstruating" adolescent with pain and a pelvic mass.

[Primary amenorrhea by transverse vaginal septum: a case report and review of the literature]. / Amenorrea primaria por tabique transverso vaginal inferior: reporte de un caso y revisión de la bibliografía.

The transverse vaginal septum is one of the rarest anomalies of the reproductive tract classified depending on location. It is manifested by primary amenorrhea, cyclic pain and progressive mass growth at abdominopelvic level, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging provides the diagnosis, location and thickness of a transverse vaginal septum, treatment is surgical. We present a case of a teenage patient with primary amenorrhea due to lower transverse vaginal septum with surgical resection and satisfactory follow-up with successful vaginal patency.

Laparoscopic re-anastomosis of a uterine avulsion following cold-knife conization.

This report presents an exceptional case of uterine avulsion following a cold-knife conization, an unprecedented surgical complication of a common gynecological procedure. Furthermore, it describes the outcomes of the conservative laparoscopic reconstruction that was performed. A 30-year-old nulliparous was referred to our department with secondary amenorrhea and cyclic pelvic pain following a cold-knife conization performed 9 months previous in another institution. The patient underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy, which confirmed that the cervix had been completely resected and that the uterine and vaginal cavities were no longer in contact. We performed an end-to-end utero-vaginal anastomosis followed by a prophylactic cerclage. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. One month after surgery the patient was asymptomatic with normal withdrawal bleeding and remained asymptomatic during her 12-month follow-up consult. To our knowledge, this is the first time that this serious complication with a potential for irreversible damage to reproductive function is reported as a complication of cervical conization. Although our conservative surgical correction repaired the anatomy and reestablished menstruation outflow, further follow-up is necessary to confirm the extent to which reproductive function was restored.

Emergency point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis of hematocolpometra and imperforate hymen in the pediatric emergency department.

A 12-year-old girl presented to the pediatric emergency department with a history of difficulty voiding and was found to have a firm, tender suprapubic mass on examination. Transabdominal emergency point-of-care ultrasound was used at the bedside to diagnose hematocolpometra due to an imperforate hymen. The diagnosis was confirmed by a comprehensive abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in the radiology suite. The patient was discharged on oral contraceptive medication and scheduled for an outpatient surgical hymenectomy following consultation with the gynecology service.

Spontaneous uterine rupture secondary to recurrent haematometra from cervical stenosis.

Cervical stenosis is a challenging condition that often recurs despite intervention. Multiple therapeutic options have been described, but a clearly effective and reliable treatment method has yet to be identified. Patients with recurrent stenosis are at risk of developing severe complications such as chronic pelvic pain and infertility. We describe a case of congenital cervical stenosis with secondary haematometra in which repeated cervical dilatation, hysteroscopic canalisation and administration of medications to retard endometrial development were unsuccessful in relieving the obstruction and preventing re-accumulation of menstrual blood. Total hysterectomy was eventually mandated by spontaneous rupture of the haematometra.

Transvaginal sonography of postabortal (Redo) syndrome.

Acute hematometra, also termed the postabortal syndrome or redo syndrome, is a rare immediate complication of suction curettage characterized by severe lower abdominal cramping in association with an enlarged and markedly tender uterus. We describe the transvaginal sonographic features of this syndrome.

Characterising acute gynaecological pathology with ultrasound: an overview and case examples.

This article summarises the ultrasound features of a number of gynaecological emergencies: ectopic pregnancy, haemorrhagic corpus luteum, twisted adnexa, pelvic inflammatory disease, acute myoma necrosis, haematocolpos and haematometra. The basis of all diagnosis in women with acute gynaecological conditions is history and clinical examination. An ultrasound examination should only be performed if it is likely to provide information that would change the likelihood of the diagnosis suspected on the basis of clinical data. If ultrasound findings are abnormal, then it is important to thoroughly evaluate if they do explain the woman's symptoms or if they are merely an incidental finding. If ultrasound findings are completely normal, then the risk of significant pelvic pathology is probably small.

Imperforate hymen with hematocolpometra combined with elevated Ca125.

In the present case, ultrasound examination ruled out the presence of hematosalpinx or other gynecological tumors. This was of great importance to the surgical intervention, especially for avoiding laparotomy. Dilatation of the vagina and uterus, due to imperforate hymen with retrograde menstruation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain in premenarchal girls (Fig. 2, Ref. 15). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

Primary amenorrhea with an abdominal mass at the umbilicus.

BACKGROUND: Transverse vaginal septum is a rare cause of primary amenorrhea. It has a reported incidence of 1:2,100-1:72,000 and a variety of clinical presentations. CASE: A 16-year-old patient presented with primary amenorrhea and a large abdominal mass that was palpated on clinical exam and confirmed on MRI imaging. A diagnosis of transverse vaginal septum was ultimately made and the patient underwent a successful surgical excision of the septum and vaginal reconstruction. CONCLUSION: The presentation, etiology, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of a transverse vaginal septum are discussed.

Hematometra in uterus didelphis: a pitfall in teenagers with lower abdominal mass. Report of two cases.

Müllerian malformations represent a wide spectrum of anomaly of the female reproductive tract, usually detected at birth or at puberty. The presence of uterus didelphys and obstructed hemivagina, associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis, is known as Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome, a rare congenital anomaly. Two cases of uterus didelphic and hematometra caused by vaginal septum are reported; the girls had a delayed diagnosis due to absence of a specific clinical feature. Clinicians must be aware of the existence of these malformations. An adequate radiological study is mandatory to assess the anatomic conformation, and to optimize the therapeutic procedures.