The Arcuate Uterine Anomaly: A Critical Appraisal of Its Diagnostic and Clinical Relevance

Arcuate Uterus as an Independent Risk Factor for Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to estimate the association between arcuate uterus and pregnancy outcomes using controls selected from a similarly high-risk cohort.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study of women with an arcuate uterus cared for by a single maternal-fetal medicine practice from 2005 to 2020. We included all women with a singleton pregnancy ≥20 weeks and diagnosis of arcuate uterus and randomly selected (3:1) patients with a singleton pregnancy and no uterine anomaly from the same practice as controls. Baseline characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, and independent samples t-test were used for data analysis, as indicated.

RESULTS

A total of 37 women with an arcuate uterus (55 independent singleton pregnancies) and 165 controls were included. There were no differences in baseline characteristics. Women with an arcuate uterus had a significantly higher rate of spontaneous preterm birth less than 37 weeks (10.9 vs. 3.0%, p = 0.031) and were more likely to require vaginal progesterone (5.5 vs. 0.6%, p = 0.049) and administration of antenatal corticosteroids (16.4 vs. 5.5%, p = 0.020). Arcuate uterus was also associated with lower birthweight (3,028.1 ± 528.0 vs. 3257.2 ± 579.9 g, p = 0.010) and higher incidence of intrauterine fetal growth restriction (20.0 vs. 7.3%, p = 0.008), despite similar starting body mass index (BMI) and weight gain throughout pregnancy. There were no differences in preeclampsia, malpresentation, cesarean delivery, blood transfusion, retained placenta, or morbidly adherent placenta.

CONCLUSION

Arcuate uterus is associated with a significantly increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth (<37 weeks), need for vaginal progesterone for short cervix and antenatal corticosteroids, fetal growth restriction, and lower mean birthweight. These findings suggest that arcuate uterus is not just a normal variant of uterine anatomy but rather a risk factor for poor fetal growth, short cervix, and a higher risk pregnancy.

KEY POINTS

· Arcuate uterus is associated with increased risk of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction.. · Women with arcuate uteri had higher rates of vaginal progesterone use during pregnancy.. · Arcuate uterus should be treated as a true finding rather than a normal anatomical variant..

Hysteroscopy and female infertility: a fresh look to a busy corner

Hysteroscopy has evolved from the traditional art of examining the uterine cavity for diagnostic purposes to an invaluable modality to concomitantly diagnose and (see and) treat a multitude of intrauterine pathologies, especially in the field and clinics specialising in female reproduction. This article reviews the literature on the most common cervical, endometrial, uterine and tubal pathologies such as chronic endometritis, endometrial polyps, adenomyosis, endometriosis, endometrial atrophy, adhesions, endometrial hyperplasia, cancer, and uterine malformations. The aim is to determine the efficiency of hysteroscopy compared with other available techniques as a diagnostic and treatment tool and its association with the success of in vitro fertilisation procedures. Although hysteroscopy requires an experienced operator for optimal results and is still an invasive procedure, it has the unique advantage of combining great diagnostic and treatment opportunities before and after ART procedures. In conclusion, hysteroscopy should be recommended as a first-line procedure in all cases with female infertility, and a special effort should be made for its implementation in the development of new high-tech procedures for identification and treatment infertility-associated conditions.

Distribution of female genital tract anomalies in two classifications

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the distribution of Müllerian duct anomalies in two verified classifications of female genital tract malformations, and the presence of associated renal defects.

STUDY DESIGN

621 women with confirmed female genital tract anomalies were retrospectively grouped under the European (ESHRE/ESGE) and the American (AFS) classification. The diagnosis of uterine malformation was based on findings in hysterosalpingography, two-dimensional ultrasonography, endoscopies, laparotomy, cesarean section and magnetic resonance imaging in 97.3% of cases. Renal status was determined in 378 patients, including 5 with normal uterus and vagina.

RESULTS

The European classification covered all 621 women studied. Uterine anomalies without cervical or vaginal anomaly were found in 302 (48.6%) patients. Uterine anomaly was associated with vaginal anomaly in 45.2%, and vaginal anomaly alone was found in 26 (4.2%) cases. Septate uterus was the most common (49.1%) of all genital tract anomalies, followed by bicorporeal uteri (18.2%). The American classification covered 590 (95%) out of the 621 women with genital tract anomalies. The American system did not take into account vaginal anomalies in 170 (34.7%) and cervical anomalies in 174 (35.5%) out of 490 cases with uterine malformations. Renal abnormalities were found in 71 (18.8%) out of 378 women, unilateral renal agenesis being the most common defect (12.2%), also found in 4 women without Müllerian duct anomaly.

CONCLUSIONS

The European classification sufficiently covered uterine and vaginal abnormalities. The distribution of the main uterine anomalies was equal in both classifications. The American system missed cervical and vaginal anomalies associated with uterine anomalies. Evaluation of renal system is recommended for all patients with genital tract anomalies.

Accuracy of 3-dimensional sonography for diagnosis and classification of congenital uterine anomalies

OBJECTIVES

Congenital abnormalities of the müllerian ducts are not very common, yet they contribute to the problem of infertility. The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of 3-dimensional (3D) sonography for diagnosis of congenital uterine abnormalities.

METHODS

This study was performed in 214 women with fertility problems who were suspected to have müllerian anomalies at Arash Hospital from April 2010 to April 2011. All patients underwent 3D sonography to assess for uterine anomalies during the luteal phase of the spontaneous cycle. Sonography was performed by one radiologist, after which one surgeon performed a hysteroscopy and a laparoscopy in each of the patients while under general anesthesia. The 3D sonographic results were not available to the surgeon. Finally, the results were compared to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3D sonography.

RESULTS

Final evaluations of 204 patients showed uterine anomalies in 84.3% of the patients. For diagnosis of uterine anomalies, the sensitivity of 3D sonography was 86.6%, and specificity was 96.9%. The positive predictive value was 99.3%, and the negative predictive value was 54.4%, with an 88.2% accuracy rate. For classification, the positive predictive value of 3D sonography was 82.3%, and accuracy was 76%; without short septa and arcuate uteri, accuracy was 95%.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that 3D sonography has a high level of accuracy for most uterine anomalies. In the case of an arcuate uterus and short septa, more precision and increased experience will improve accuracy.

Clinical approach for the classification of congenital uterine malformations

A more objective, accurate and non-invasive estimation of uterine morphology is nowadays feasible based on the use of modern imaging techniques. The validity of the current classification systems in effective categorization of the female genital malformations has been already challenged. A new clinical approach for the classification of uterine anomalies is proposed. Deviation from normal uterine anatomy is the basic characteristic used in analogy to the American Fertility Society classification. The embryological origin of the anomalies is used as a secondary parameter. Uterine anomalies are classified into the following classes: 0, normal uterus; I, dysmorphic uterus; II, septate uterus (absorption defect); III, dysfused uterus (fusion defect); IV, unilateral formed uterus (formation defect); V, aplastic or dysplastic uterus (formation defect); VI, for still unclassified cases. A subdivision of these main classes to further anatomical varieties with clinical significance is also presented. The new proposal has been designed taking into account the experience gained from the use of the currently available classification systems and intending to be as simple as possible, clear enough and accurate as well as open for further development. This proposal could be used as a starting point for a working group of experts in the field.