MRI image features and differential diagnoses of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome

Surgical Management of OHVIRA and Outcomes

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) includes uterine didelphys, unilateral obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal anomaly. Surgical management of this condition relies on accurate diagnosis to excise the obstructed longitudinal vaginal septum (OLVS). Vital considerations involve identifying the side affected, ipsilateral renal anomaly (IRA), thickness of the septum (TS), septal axis (SA), and distance of the septum to perineum (DSP). The study aimed to evaluate the preoperative characteristics, imaging findings, and surgical outcomes of OHVIRA.

METHODS

Institutional review board approval was obtained for this retrospective chart review. ICD-10 codes identified OHVIRA cases between 2012 and 2019 at a single children's hospital. Patient demographic characteristics, magnetic resonance imaging findings, surgical management, outcomes, and complications were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were utilized.

RESULTS

Twenty-six patients met inclusion criteria. Most were diagnosed at puberty (92%). Abdominal pain (50%) was the most common presenting complaint. The mean age of diagnosis was 13.2 years overall and 11.2 years for those with regular cycles vs 13.4 years for those with irregular cycles. Preoperative imaging showed predominant right-sided OLVS (50%), IRA (77%), and oblique SA (65%). All patients underwent vaginoscopy, septum resection, and vaginoplasty, except 1 who was managed with an abdominal drain as a neonate. Four required postoperative vaginal stent or Foley, with DSP greater than 5 cm in all cases. One intraabdominal abscess complication occurred. No instances of hematocolpos re-accumulation or reoperation were observed during the 3-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that detailed preoperative planning and a systematic surgical approach lead to favorable outcomes in OHVIRA irrespective of the OLVS laterality, TS, SA, or DSP.

Anatomical variations, treatment and outcomes of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome: a literature review of 1673 cases

PURPOSE

This study aimed to perform a systematic review of patients with Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) and present the prevalence of symptoms, anatomical variants, endometriosis, surgical interventions, and short- and long-term outcomes.

METHODS

A structured search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and studies published between 1 January, 2000 and 19 April, 2022 were included. The following data on HWWS were recorded: symptoms, anatomical variations, surgical interventions and short- and long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 1673 patients were included in our analysis. The main symptoms were dysmenorrhea (53.8%), abnormal uterine bleeding (28.9%), and vaginal discharge (26.6%). The principal anomalies were right-obstructed hemivagina (57.3%), haematocolpos (81.7%), uterus didelphys (88.8%), and ipsilateral renal agenesis (93.1%). A majority of patients belonged to classification 1.1 (46.7%), with a blind hemivagina, and classification 2.1 (39.2%), with a small communication between two vaginas. The mainstay of treatment was vaginal septum excision (91.8%). Minimally invasive surgery (48.5%) was performed only after vaginal surgery (61.9%), and only a few patients required a second surgery (2.2%). Endometriosis was found in 9.6% of the patients. Fifty-two percent of them had ipsilateral ovarian endometriosis cysts. Pregnancy rate of these patients was 72.1%. The rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes was 22.4%. The caesarean section rate was 61.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with HWWS presented with nonspecific symptoms and demonstrated various combinations of anomalies. The most common anatomical variants are classifications 1.1 and 2.1. Vaginal septum excision is effective in relieving symptoms and preventing complications, with hysteroscopic surgery as an option where there is concern about protecting the hymen from minor injury. The pregnancy rate for these patients after surgery was satisfactory, and the rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes after surgery was acceptable. We advise females with urological anomalies to be screened for Müllerian anomalies because of the close association between these two types of anomalies. Thus, HWWS contributes to the occurrence of endometriosis; however, more research is required to investigate the relationship between pelvic endometriosis and HWWS.

Concurrent Diagnosis of Adenomyosis and Congenital Uterine Anomalies: A Review

Background: Adenomyosis and congenital uterine anomalies (CUAs) can compromise reproductive potential and may coexist in the same patient, especially in cases of infertility. This review (CRD42022382850) aims to evaluate the published cases of concurrent adenomyosis and syndromic and nonsyndromic CUAs. Methods: A literature search for suitable articles published in the English language was performed using the following databases from inception to 30 November 2022: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, the Cochrane Library, Health Technology Assessment Database, and Web of Science. Articles including both CUAs and adenomyosis, with data about their potential relationship, were included. Results: The literature search retrieved 14 articles that met the purpose of this review and summarized the most recent findings regarding the concurrent diagnosis of adenomyosis and CUAs. Conclusions: Adenomyosis can be found in both syndromic and nonsyndromic CUAs, and may arise from several etiologies. The hypothesis that obstructions in CUAs increase uterine pressure and promote the development of adenomyosis remains to be further elucidated, and additional findings may also play a role. The patient's genetic, epigenetic, and hormonal patterns, as well as normal physiological processes, such as pregnancy, may influence the growth of adenomyosis.

Síndrome de Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura

Objetivo:

Presentar un reporte de caso de síndrome de Herlyn Werner Wunderlich (SHWW) y hacer una revisión de la literatura para determinar los hallazgos clínicos e imagenológicos en estas pacientes.

Materiales y métodos:

Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 16 años que consultó, en un hospital de las fuerzas militares en Bogotá, por dolor pélvico recurrente, su diagnostico final fue SHWW. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática de la literatura en las diferentes bases de datos, revisiones sistemáticas, cohortes, series de casos y reportes de casos en pacientes con diagnóstico de SHWW en cualquier edad, se obtuvo información sobre las características de presentación clínica, y las tecnologías diagnósticas más frecuentemente utilizadas. Se hace resumen narrativo de los hallazgos.

Resultados:

Se incluyeron 77 publicaciones, un total de 676 pacientes. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron dismenorrea (63,9 %), seguido de dolor pélvico (35,2%). Las tecnologías diagnósticas más utilizadas fueron el ultrasonido pélvico en un 92,1% y la resonancia magnética nuclear en un 74,6% de los casos. La histeroscopia y laparoscopia son poco utilizados en el diagnóstico.

Conclusión:

El SHWW es una entidad poco frecuente, debe hacer parte del estudio complementario de la agenesia renal del paciente pediátrico y del diagnóstico diferencial de la dismenorrea primaria en pacientes en la adolescencia. Se requiere evaluar con estudios de cohorte más grandes la utilidad de la histeroscopia en estas pacientes.

Multiple variants of obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome - one clinical center case series and the systematic review of 734 cases

INTRODUCTION

Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome is a rare female urogenital tract malformation.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To present 10 patients with OHVIRA treated at the clinical center. To perform a systematic review of OHVIRA case series related to the prevalence of anatomical variants, surgical interventions and endometriosis, and to compare them with our case series.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical records from 10 OHVIRA patients treated between 2016 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. For the systematic review, PubMed and Web of Science were used to search for relevant studies. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were strictly followed.

RESULTS

The most common anatomical variant includes left obstructed hemivagina (50.7%) with isolated hematocolpos or hydrocolpos (55.9%), uterus didelphys (82.9%), and ipsilateral renal agenesis (92.2%). Vaginal septectomy was the most common surgical approach (86.5%). Hemivaginectomy (2.2%), hemihysterectomy (4.2%), or total hysterectomy (0.7%) were also performed in several patients. Some subjects required salpingectomy (3.3%) or oophorectomy (1.8%). 7.5% of patients, mainly infants, did not require surgery due to the spontaneous resolution of hydrocolpos. Endometriosis was fortuitously found in 13.6% of the selected cases who underwent laparoscopy or laparotomy.

DISCUSSION

The most common variant of OHVIRA includes isolated hematocolpos and a thick vaginal septum between adjacent hemivaginas. Endometriosis was present in approximately 14% of OHVIRA patients, but this number is probably underestimated. Routine laparoscopy is not required. However, all patients need further monitoring due to a higher risk of endometriosis. Based on the analyzed studies and our case series, vaginal septectomy is a sufficient surgical technique to relieve symptoms and prevent possible complications in most OHVIRA patients.

New Consideration of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome Diagnosed by Ultrasound

OBJECTIVES

As a rare malformation of the female reproductive system, Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) was categorized into 3 classifications. It was recommended recently that, on the basis of the past classification, cervicovaginal atresia without communicating uteri should be newly added as classification 4. The surgical intervention will differ by type. To better optimize patient counseling as well as the preoperative evaluation and planning, our objective was to describe the ultrasound characteristics of each type of HWWS, including the new type.

METHODS

From January 1995 to November 2015, 37 cases of HWWS in with complete ultrasound information confirmed by surgery in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital were reviewed. We analyzed their ultrasound features, including hematometra, hematocervix, hematocolpos, and an ovarian chocolate cyst.

RESULTS

All of the ultrasound images of the 37 patients showed uterus didelphys with ipsilateral renal agenesis. Compared with the other 3 types, classification 4 showed distinctive ultrasound characteristics. Most cases of classification 4 showed hematometra (5 of 7 [71.4%]) and an ipsilateral ovarian chocolate cyst (6 of 7 [85.7%]), which was significantly higher than in the other 3. A rudimentary uterine horn was also a distinctive characteristic in this type. Meanwhile none of the classification 4 cases showed hematocervix or hydrocolpos, which were common signs of the other 3.

CONCLUSIONS

According to this new classification criteria for HWWS, ultrasound characteristics of the new classification 4 differ from the others. As classification 4 was suggested to have a different surgical option, we should pay attention to its ultrasound characteristics, which might help in providing more information about the treatment and prognosis to the gynecologist.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome and its complications: A report of two cases and literature review

Herlyn–Werner–Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) is a rare congenital malformation characterized by uterus didelphys, unilateral blind hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The obstructed vagina affects menstrual flow, leading to related clinical symptoms after menarche. However, the age of onset, initial symptoms, and clinical complications differ among patients owing to the different types of vaginal septum. Herein, we report 2 cases. The first case is of a 20-year-old woman who presented with fever; she was diagnosed with vaginitis and pelvic inflammation due to the vaginal septum with ostiole. The second case is of a 12-year-old girl who complained of abdominal pain; she was diagnosed as having pelvic inflammation, omentitis, and suppurative appendicitis due to the atretic vaginal septum.

Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA): Early diagnosis, treatment and outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To describe and summarize the early diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA).

METHODS

Data from patients with OHVIRA treated at the study centre over the last decade were analysed retrospectively, including demographic characteristics, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. Relevant published literature was also reviewed in this study.

RESULTS

In total, 11 cases were diagnosed with OHVIRA over the study period, ranging in age from 3 to 14 years (median 11 years). Four cases were asymptomatic, four had abdominal pain and three had urinary symptoms. All 11 cases underwent vaginoplasty. Ureteral bladder re-implantation (n = 1), dysplastic nephrectomy (n = 1), separation of labia minora adhesions (n = 1), perineoplasty (n = 1) and urethroplasty (n = 1) were performed. Cases were followed up for 2 months to 8 years (median 5 years) with good follow-up outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the cases in this study and the relevant literature, ultrasound appears to be an effective method for the diagnosis of OHVIRA. Experienced ultrasonographers are able to achieve a high corrected diagnosis rate. The differential diagnosis of OHVIRA should be considered by paediatric surgeons, urologists, emergency physicians and gynaecologists when they identify patients with didelphys uterus or renal agenesis. Early surgery can reduce the risk of potential genital tract infection and gynaecological complications.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome: Report of a delayed diagnosed case with video presentation of the operative technique of vaginal septum resection

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich (HWW) syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly of Mullerian duct development characterized by uterus didelphys with blind hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis. We present a case of a 29-year-old nulliparous woman, who was referred to our hospital complaining of chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and a palpable mass in her vagina. At the age of 12, she underwent surgery because of a didelphys uterus diagnosis. Subsequently, she was operated on twice for endometriomas. At our institution, clinical and imaging findings revealed an obstructed hemivagina setting the diagnosis of HWW syndrome. Some of the various syndrome types may go unnoticed for months or even years after the onset of menstruation. Early diagnosis, followed by proper surgical treatment, is the key to avoid potentially severe complications.