Differentiating between a double cervix or cervical duplication and a complete septate uterus with longitudinal vaginal septum

Complete uterine septum, double cervix, and longitudinal vaginal septum: an integrated approach for one-stop diagnosis and ultrasound-guided endoscopic treatment

BACKGROUND

A complete uterine septum, double cervix and vaginal septum is a complex and rare congenital genital tract anomaly. The diagnosis is often challenging and based on the combination of different diagnostic techniques and multiple treatment steps.

OBJECTIVE

To propose a combined one-stop diagnosis and an ultrasound-guided endoscopic treatment of complete uterine septum, double cervix, and longitudinal vaginal septum anomaly.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Stepwise demonstration with narrated video footage of an integrated approach management of a complete uterine septum, double cervix and vaginal longitudinal septum treated by expert operators combining minimally invasive hysteroscopy and ultrasound. The patient was 30 years old and was referred to our clinic because of dyspareunia, infertility and the suspicion of a genital malformation.

RESULTS

A one-stop complete evaluation of uterine cavity, external profile, cervix, and vagina was made through 2D, and 3D ultrasound combined with hysteroscopic assessment and a U2bC2V1 malformation (according to ESHRE/ESGE classification) was diagnosed. The procedure consisted in a totally endoscopic removal of the vaginal longitudinal septum and the complete uterine septum, starting the uterine septum incision from the isthmic level, and sparing the two cervices, under transabdominal ultrasound guidance. The ambulatory procedure was performed in the Digital Hysteroscopic Clinic (DHC) CLASS Hysteroscopy in Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS of Rome - Italy, under general anaesthesia (laryngeal mask).

MAIN OUTCOMES

Surgical time of procedure was 37 minutes; no complications occurred; patient was discharged three hours after the procedure; the hysteroscopic office control after 40 days showed a normal vagina and a normal uterine cavity with two normal cervices.

CONCLUSION

An integrated ultrasound and hysteroscopic approach allows an accurate one-stop diagnosis and a totally endoscopic treatment option for complex congenital malformations using an ambulatory model of care with optimal surgical results.

Diagnostic accuracy of hysteroscopy, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in detecting congenital uterine anomalies

Congenital uterine malformations occur as a result of a defective uterine development. The formation of the uterus is a dynamic process that culminates after completing four phases (differentiation, fusion, migration and canalization). Because is an evolutionary process, the resulting uterine malformation is different depending on the uterine formation phase in which the failure occurs. To establish a correct diagnosis of uterine malformations, it is necessary to evaluate both the shape of the uterine cavity and the external contour of the uterus. In this review we will describe the imaging modalities used in current clinical practice for the evaluation of the patient with suspected congenital uterine anomalies. The current role of each modality is described.

ESHRE-ESGE versus ASRM classification in the diagnosis of septate uterus: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology-European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESHRE-ESGE) system is designed mainly for clinical orientation; its overdiagnosis of septate uteri was confirmed in a general population in comparison to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) supplemental classification proposed by Ludwin. However, the agreement among septate uterus recognition using the ESHRE-ESGE and the supplemental ASRM classifications and the rate of overdiagnosis of septate uterus by ESHRE-ESGE in infertile women remain unclear.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 53,540 infertile patients in our reproductive centre from June 2013 to December 2016, to compare septate uterus recognition using three systems. The data were analysed by the ESHRE-ESGE system, the ASRM by Salim and the ASRM by Ludwin separately. The concordance of diagnoses of septate uteri using these three systems was compared.

RESULTS

ESHRE-ESGE classification significantly increased the frequency of septate uteri (11.31%, 6056 vs. 7.20%, 3854 vs. 3.80%, 2034). Good agreement was observed between the ESHRE-ESGE and the ASRM by Salim (k = 0.686, p < 0.001) and between the ASRM by Salim and that by Ludwin (k = 0.671, p < 0.001), while moderate agreement was found between the ESHRE-ESGE and ASRM by Ludwin systems (k = 0.444, p < 0.001). These results suggest that Ludwin's criteria are the strictest, while the ESHRE-ESGE system is much more relaxed for septate uterus diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

A risk of overtreatment may also exist in infertile patients when using the ESHRE-ESGE system. Therefore, the ESHRE-ESGE system should be used with caution when guiding hysteroscopic metroplasty in infertile patients.

Comparison of the ESHRE-ESGE and ASRM classifications of Müllerian duct anomalies in everyday practice

STUDY QUESTION

Does the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology–European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESHRE–ESGE) classification of female genital tract malformations significantly increase the frequency of septate uterus diagnosis relative to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) classification?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Use of the ESHRE–ESGE classification, compared with the ASRM classification, significantly increased the frequency of septate uterus recognition.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

The ESHRE–ESGE criteria were supposed to eliminate the subjective diagnoses of septate uterus by the ASRM criteria and replace the complementary absolute morphometric criteria. However, the clinical value of the ESHRE–ESGE classification in daily practice is difficult to appreciate. The application of the ESHRE–ESGE criteria has resulted in a significantly increased recognition of residual septum after hysteroscopic metroplasty, with a possible risk of overdiagnosis of septate uterus and problems for its management.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, AND DURATION

A prospective observational study was performed with 261 women consecutively enrolled between June and September 2013.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, AND METHODS

Non-pregnant women of reproductive age presented for evaluation to a private medical center. A gynecological examination and 3D ultrasonography were performed to assess the anatomy of the uterus, cervix and vagina. Congenital anomalies were diagnosed using the ASRM classification with additional morphometric criteria as well as with the ESHRE–ESGE classification. We compared the frequency and concordance of diagnoses of septate uterus and all congenital malformations of the uterus according to both classifications. The morphological characteristics of septate uterus recognized by both criteria were compared.

MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE

Of the 261 patients enrolled in this study, septate uterus was diagnosed in 44 (16.9%) and 16 (6.1%) patients using the ESGE–ESHRE and ASRM criteria, respectively [relative risk (RR)_{ESHRE–ESGE:ASRM} 2.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6–4.72; P < 0.01]. At least one congenital anomaly were diagnosed in 58 (22.2%) and 43 (16.5%) patients using the ESHRE–ESGE and ASRM classifications (RR_{ESHRE–ESGE:ASRM}, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.95–1.92, P = 0.1), respectively. The two criteria had moderate strength of agreement in the diagnosis of septate uterus (κ = 0.45, P < 0.01). There was good agreement in differentiation between anomaly and norm between the two assessment criteria (κ = 0.79, P < 0.01). The percentages of all congenital malformations and results of the differentiation between the anomaly and norm were obtained after excluding the confounding original ESHRE–ESGE criterion of dysmorphic uterus (internal indentation <50% uterine wall thickness). The morphology of septa identified by the ESHRE–ESGE [length of internal fundal indentation (mm): median 10.7; lower–upper quartile, 8.1–20] significantly differed (P < 0.01) from that identified by the ASRM criteria [length of internal fundal indentation (mm): median, 21.1; lower–upper quartile, 18.8–33.1]. Internal fundal indentation in 16 out of 44 (36.4%) cases was <1 cm in the septate uterus by ESHRE–ESGE and met the criteria for normal uterus by ASRM.

LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION

The study participants were women who visited a diagnostic and treatment center specialized in uterine congenital malformations for a medical assessment, not from the general public.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Septate uterus diagnosis by ESHRE–ESGE was quantitatively dominated by morphological states corresponding to arcuate uterus or cases that were not diagnosed as congenital malformations by ASRM. Relative overdiagnosis of septate uterus by ESHRE–ESGE in these cases may lead to unnecessary overtreatment without the expected benefits. The ESHRE–ESGE classification criteria should be redefined due to confusions in the methodology. Until the criteria are revised, septate uterus should not be diagnosed using this classification system and it should not be used as an eligibility criterion for hysteroscopic metroplasty.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by Jagiellonian University (grant no. K/ZDS/003821). The authors have no competing interests to declare.

Role of morphologic characteristics of the uterine septum in the prediction and prevention of abnormal healing outcomes after hysteroscopic metroplasty

STUDY QUESTION

Can morphologic measurements (width, length and surface area) of the uterine septum predict healing-dependent abnormal anatomic results [ARs; residual septum (RS) and intrauterine adhesions in other locations (IUA-OLs)] after complete hysteroscopic metroplasty (HM)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Significant predictors of ARs are the septal width and, to a lesser extent, septal surface area.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Anatomic results after hysteroscopic metroplasty have very large variation. A RS >1 cm and IUA-OLs can aggravate reproductive outcomes, resulting in the need for reoperation. New criteria for diagnosing a uterine septum according to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) have been suggested (ESHRE-ESGE criteria). Autocross-linked hyaluronic acid gel (autocross-linked polysaccharide) has an antiadhesive effect.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A prospective, observational cohort study was performed with 96 women consecutively enrolled between 2007 and 2012.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Women who had uterine septum and previous miscarriage or infertility presented for evaluation at a university hospital, private hospital or private medical center were included. Preoperative septal width, length and surface area were determined with three-dimensional sonohysterography. Women were treated by hysteroscopy in a standardized manner with three- or four-dimensional transrectal ultrasound guidance (complete resection). Patients received either no adhesion barrier (49 patients) or adhesion barrier with autocross-linked polysaccharide (47 patients). Anatomic results were assessed with three-dimensional sonohysterography and second-look hysteroscopy. Healing-dependent ARs were reported using both American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) criterion of RS length >1 cm (ASRM>1 cm criterion) and ESHRE-ESGE criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors of RS, IUA-OLs and ARs.

MAIN RESULTS AND ROLE OF CHANCE

In patients who had no adhesion barrier, ARs were diagnosed in 11 of 49 patients (23%) using the ASRM > 1 cm criterion and in 20 of 49 patients (41%) using the ESHRE-ESGE criteria for RS [odds ratio (OR)ESHRE-ESGE:ASRM, 2.4, P = 0.05]. In the patients who had autocross-linked polysaccharide, ARsASRM > 1 cm were diagnosed in 2 of 47 patients (4%) and ARsESHRE-ESGE in 4 of 47 patients (9%). RSESHRE-ESGE was diagnosed significantly more often than RSASRM > 1 cm 19 of 96 (20%) versus 5 of 96 (5%) in all patients (ORESHRE-ESGE:ASRM > 1 cm = 4.5, P < 0.01). In patients who had no adhesion barrier, logistic regression with ASRM > 1 cm and ESHRE-ESGE criteria showed that the width and surface area were predictors of ARs. Models adjusted by patient group confirmed the significance of width as a predictor of ARsASRM > 1 cm [OR for width, 3.5 (P < 0.01); OR for group, 0.22 (P < 0.01)], width as a predictor of ARsESHRE-ESGE [OR for width, 2.2 (P < 0.01); OR for group, 0.26 (P < 0.01)] and surface area as a predictor of ARsASRM > 1 cm [OR for surface area, 1.5 (P < 0.01)]; OR for group, 0.32 (P < 0.01). In patients who had autocross-linked polysaccharide, these predictors were not significant. Receiver-operating characteristic curves showed cutoff values for ARsASRM > 1 cm (septal width, 3.42 cm; septal surface area, 4.68cm²) and ARsESHRE-ESGE (septal width, 3.42 cm; septal surface area, 3.51cm²).

LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION

Patients were enrolled in the adhesion barrier group in a time-dependent, consecutive and non-randomized manner.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

A wide septum and large surface area may be indications for adhesion barrier. The use of autocross-linked polysaccharide reduces the risk of ARs. The ESHRE-ESGE criteria may cause greater frequency of recognition of RS than the ASRM > 1 cm criterion, which could result in more frequent reoperations with use of the ESHRE-ESGE criteria, possibly without any significant effect on reproductive performance.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by Jagiellonian University (grant no. K/ZDS/003821). The authors have no competing interest to declare.