Uterine Anomalies





KEY FACTS


Terminology





  • Müllerian duct anomalies (MDA): Series of uterine malformations resulting from abnormal development, fusion, or resorption of müllerian ducts



  • MDA types




    • Müllerian agenesis or hypoplasia



    • Unicornuate uterus



    • Uterus didelphys



    • Bicornuate uterus



    • Septate uterus



    • Arcuate uterus




  • Ovaries are not involved



Imaging





  • Abnormal configuration of endometrial cavity ± abnormal external contour of uterus



  • 3D ultrasound is vital for correct diagnosis, as it enables evaluation of fundus in true coronal plane



  • Arcuate uterus




    • Most common MDA



    • Normal external uterine contour




  • Septate uterus




    • 2nd most common MDA



    • 2 endometrial cavities, fibrous or muscular septum of variable length and thickness



    • Convex outer uterine contour or cleft < 1 cm



    • Intercornual angle < 75° suggests septate uterus




  • Bicornuate uterus




    • 3rd most common MDA



    • 2 symmetric uterine horns, fused inferiorly; deep fundal cleft > 1 cm



    • Intercornual distance > 4 cm favors bicornuate uterus



    • Intercornual angle > 105° suggests bicornuate uterus




  • Unicornuate uterus




    • Curved and elongated, banana-shaped single uterine horn and endometrium




  • Uterus didelphys




    • 2 separate noncommunicating, divergent uterine horns with 2 cervices; deep fundal cleft



    • Vaginal septum in 75%




  • Müllerian agenesis or hypoplasia




    • Absent or small rudimentary uterus



    • ± hematometros




  • DES uterus (T-shaped)



  • MR to clarify anatomy, relationship of pelvic organs



Top Differential Diagnoses





  • Imperforate hymen



  • Cervical stenosis



  • Pyometra



Pathology





  • MDAs occur during 1 of 3 phases of development




    • Organogenesis phase: Uterine agenesis, hypoplasia, unicornuate



    • Fusion phase: Didelphys, bicornuate



    • Septal resorption phase: Septate, arcuate




Clinical Issues





  • 1-5% prevalence in general population



  • Symptoms depend on variant; many asymptomatic



  • May present with primary amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea at menarche, cyclical pelvic pain and pressure or with obstetric-/fertility-related complications



  • Endometriosis if obstruction present



  • Renal anomalies in 30-50%: renal agenesis (most common)




    • Ectopic kidney, horseshoe kidney, duplicated collecting system, renal dysplasia




Scanning Tips





  • Image outer uterine contour




    • Essential for differentiation of septate vs. bicornuate uterus




  • Image renal fossae to assess for renal agenesis







Graphic of a septate uterus shows minimal indentation on the uterine fundus . The cavity is divided with myometrium in the superior aspect of the septum, although normal zonal anatomy is not present in this portion .








Transverse ultrasound shows 2 endometrial cavities separated by myometrial tissue . An early gestational sac is present on the left side. Evaluation of the external uterine contour was necessary to confirm this as a septate uterus.








3D ultrasound with coronal MIP rendering shows a muscular septum indenting the fundal endometrium. The coronal reconstruction readily depicts the normal convex outer uterine contour of this septate uterus.








3D ultrasound with volume rendering shows a deep muscular septum extending into the fundal endometrium with a normal convex outer uterine contour , consistent with septate uterus.





Nov 10, 2024 | Posted by in ULTRASONOGRAPHY | Comments Off on Uterine Anomalies

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