Prenatal Diagnosis of Hydro(metro)colpos: A Series of 20 Cases

Hydrometrocolpos: a Contemporary Review of the Last 5 Years

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of hydrometrocolpos, covering disease etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic and management techniques, and known outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

This narrative review presents the literature on hydrometrocolpos in the pediatric population from the past 5 years. We highlight the 69 reported cases of hydrometrocolpos and classify them based on type of obstruction or associated anomaly, discuss new diagnostic algorithms based on imaging, and present novel and underutilized surgical techniques for definitive management. Hydrometrocolpos, a condition characterized by retained fluid causing a distended vagina and uterus in the setting of a distal vaginal outflow obstruction, has a wide range of presentation severity based on the type of obstruction. Whether hydrometrocolpos is due to an isolated condition like imperforate hymen, a complex abnormality like cloacal malformation, or a part of a large congenital syndrome, the mainstay of treatment is decompression of the dilated vagina and surgical correction of the outflow obstruction. Imaging-based diagnostic algorithms and new treatment techniques reported in the literature, as well as longitudinal and patient-reported outcome research, can improve the lives of children affected by this condition.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome also known as obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly: A case report and a comprehensive review of literature

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome, also known as obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA), is a Müllerian duct anomaly. It is a rare clinical condition consisting of a duplicated uterus with an oblique vaginal septum that causes partial genital tract outflow obstruction. A urinary tract anomaly, most commonly renal agenesis, is usually present on the obstructed side. The diagnosis of genital tract outflow obstruction is often delayed due to the normal functioning of the unaffected side. The most frequent complications are dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, infection, infertility and endometriosis. This report describes a 17-year-old G0P0 patient with a history of severe dysmenorrhea and left-sided renal agenesis, who was admitted for complaints of foul vaginal discharge over the past 3 months that was unsuccessfully treated with antibiotics. Transrectal ultrasound revealed the presence of 2 separate hemicavities on transverse and longitudinal views. A cystic lesion with ground-glass opacities was detected between the bladder and a normal-appearing cervix, which was determined to be hematocolpos. The diagnosis of OHVIRA was made. This case highlights the importance of excluding a Müllerian anomaly in the presence of renal system abnormalities. Being aware of the type of anomalies, combinations and variants is crucial to determine the diagnosis and the best surgical approach. Ultrasound was an invaluable imaging exam to determine the type of anomaly and its complexity. Awareness of this syndrome and its variants will prevent misdiagnosis and will help to define the appropriate treatment for these patients.

Imaging in fetal genital anomalies

Genital anomalies are a heterogeneous group of congenital pathologies that have become increasingly relevant since the Chicago Consensus of 2005. Their postnatal diagnosis has developed significantly in the last two decades, while prenatal diagnosis seems to be underdeveloped, with few protocols available, fragmented scientific literature, and low diagnostic rates. This review aims to examine the current status of this subspecialty from the perspective of prenatal imaging. Indications for the evaluation of fetal genitalia can be divided into medical and non-medical reasons. Medical reasons include sex-linked disorders, detection of other anomalies, relevant family history, or multiple pregnancy. Non-medical reasons include parental request for sex disclosure. Disclosure of fetal sex may be associated with ethical, legal, and medical issues. The main imaging technology used is 2D ultrasound, although there are other complementary techniques such as 3D, MRI, or Color Doppler. Regarding working methodology, several authors have drawn attention to the lack of standardized protocols and guidelines. Most guidelines tend to limit their recommendations to study indications and ethical issues. Technical proposals, measurements, or working methods have not yet been standardized. Fetal sex determination is usually divided into early and late gestation. Early gestation is based on the sagittal sign. Late gestation is based on direct visualization. There are several measurements to describe male and female genitalia, such as penile length, bilabial diameter, or scrotal diameter. Prenatal diagnosis of genital pathologies presents some particularities such as the wide spectrum of phenotypes, the high frequency of associated deformities, or the time of diagnosis. Some of the most frequent pathologies are ambiguous genitalia, fetal sex discordance, hypospadias, micropenis, clitoromegaly, ovarian cysts, hydro(metro)colpos, and cloacal anomalies. Higher-quality studies and direction from scientific societies through the implementation of clinical guidelines are needed.

Prenatal magnetic resonance imaging of complex female genitourinary system abnormalities, what the fetal medicine specialist needs to know

Complex female genitourinary system anomalies include a wide spectrum of uncommon pathologies, caused from the abnormal separation of the urorectal septum and the urogenital sinus in early embryonic life. The resulting fusion of the distal urinary, genital and intestinal tracts increases the risk of death in utero and alters the normal organ functionality and the quality of life in survivors. An accurate prenatal identification of these pathologies depends mainly on prior suspicion at ultrasound screening, but also requires a solid knowledge of embryology and familiarity with the different patterns of malformation. Prenatal MRI provides an excellent anatomic evaluation of the fetal anatomy that may improve the diagnosis in complex cases with inconclusive echographic findings. The additional information can help both families and medical teams to better evaluate the severity of the pathology and the postnatal prognosis and therefore to better orientate the management during pregnancy, at delivery and after birth. This review article describes the embryological basis and the clinical findings of the most relevant pathologies included in the spectrum. It also describes the imaging signs on prenatal MRI studies in a series of confirmed cases and proposes a diagnostic algorithm based on imaging findings for guiding prenatal diagnosis.

Clinical spectrum of female genital malformations in prenatal diagnosis

Introduction

Fetal genital malformations represent a rare and heterogeneous group of congenital malformations of the disorders of sexual development (DSD) spectrum.

Methods

A thorough literature review on the main topics in the prenatal approach towards DSD was conducted.

Results

First, a thorough overview on prenatal characteristics of the most common fetal genital malformations of ovaries, uterus and external genitalia, and second, a standardized approach for differential diagnosis in the presence of direct and indirect prenatal signs of DSDs.

Conclusions

This review is mainly directed towards the aspects of female genital malformations with  aspects of male DSD explained as well to aid in the prenatal differential diagnosis.

Hydrometrocolpos and postaxial polydactyly in a girl newborn: A case report

This case report is of a 35‐week female neonate with a cystic abdominal mass. Physical examination was notable for post‐axial polydactyly, distended abdomen, and abnormal urethral opening. Differential diagnosis includes Bardet–Biedl Syndrome (BBS), an autosomal recessive ciliopathy. Genetic panel revealed she was a carrier for a BBS mutation.

Hydrometrocolpos in Infants: Etiologies and Clinical Presentations

Hydrometrocolpos (HMC) is a rare condition where fluids or secretions accumulate in the vagina (hydrocolpos) or up to the uterus (hydrometrocolpos). This case series study reports three infants with different etiologies and presentations of HMC and aims to review literature for proper workup upon initial diagnosis. The first neonate antenatally presented with a huge cystic mass. HMC secondary to imperforate hymen was proved, and hymenotomy was performed at 2 days of age. The second participant presented with persistent urogenital sinus and hematopoietic chimerism, possibly due to transfusion from her twin brother via placenta anastomoses. At 2 months of corrected age, she had difficult defecating, and sonogram revealed HMC with normal appearance of uterus and ovaries. Regular follow-ups and surgical reconstruction will be conducted before puberty. The third patient had cloacal malformation and multiple congenital anomalies at birth. Vesicovaginal fistula-related HMC was detected and managed with surgical drainage in the neonate stage. The girl began menstruation with dysmenorrhea at 12 years. The image studies demonstrated hematometrocolpos secondary to left-side hemivaginal septum, uterine didelphy, and ipsilateral renal agenesis, indicating Herlyn–Werner–Wunderlich syndrome. HMC can be diagnosed easily via sonogram. Careful external genitalia examinations help to identify persistent urogenital sinus or cloacal malformation. Occasionally, the HMC may be part of syndrome manifestations or associated with sex chromosome anomalies. Clinicians may conduct surveillance of renal, cardiac, and skeletal systems as well as chromosome study for early diagnosis and management.

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.

Diagnosis of Persistent Cloaca by Ultrasonography and MRI: A Case Report

Patient: Female, 38-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Persistent cloaca

Symptoms: Hydrocolpos • hydronephrosis • oligohydramnios

Medication:—

Clinical Procedure: Magnetic resonance imaging • ultrasonography

Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology

Congenital vaginal obstruction in a newborn

A transverse vaginal septum is a horizontal wall of tissue that has formed during embryologic development and essentially creates a blockage of the vagina. It can occur at different levels of the vagina. We report a neonate who was diagnosed antenatally with an enlarged lower abdominal mass suggestive of an enlarged urinary bladder with hydronephrosis and hydroureter. Shortly after birth, she developed urinary retention and neonatal sepsis. Following multiple postnatal investigations, she was found to have a vaginal septum with hydrometrocolpos.

Prenatal imaging of anorectal malformations - 10-year experience at a tertiary center in Switzerland

BACKGROUND

Anorectal malformation is a spectrum of congenital defects of the distal bowel, mostly diagnosed at birth.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the prenatal imaging findings of anorectal malformations, explore the causes of the low rates of prenatal diagnosis, compare the accuracy of prenatal ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonnance imaging [MRI] and evaluate the relevance of information obtained at MRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Children treated for anorectal malformation at our hospital and with available prenatal studies were retrospectively identified and included in the study. We reviewed prenatal imaging exams, listed findings suggestive of the diagnosis, and compared results with the final classification.

RESULTS

Fourteen fetuses and neonates - eight with intermediate-high type anorectal malformation and six with cloacae - fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All had associated congenital anomalies. Prenatal exams included 13 US and 8 MRI exams, with 7 children having both exams. Suggestive findings for anorectal malformation were detected in 50% of the cases prenatally and in 85% upon review. They were prospectively detected in 31% and 50% of the cases at US and MRI and retrospectively in 62% and 100% at US and MRI, respectively. MRI was superior to US because it improved the diagnosis, especially in cloacae, and provided relevant additional information that changed management in two cases.

CONCLUSION

The most important signs suggesting anorectal malformation are an absent target sign and anomalous distal bowel wall and rectal fluid. Complementary prenatal MRI improves the diagnosis of anorectal malformation.

Effectiveness of Prenatal Intervention on the Outcome of Diseases That Have a Postnatal Urological Impact

We reviewed the literature addressing outcomes of fetal intervention of conditions that require post-natal urological management including lower urinary tract obstruction, hydrometrocolpos, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and myelomeningocele. Despite several decades of fetal intervention for these conditions, benefits remain elusive in part because of the enormous difficulty of conducting prospective randomized studies. In this review, we reached the following conclusions: Prenatal intervention in lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) improves survival in the worst cases by improving pulmonary function and it may be advantageous for renal function, particularly in patients with adverse urine parameters.Prenatal treatment of female fetuses at risk of having congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) reduces virilization. Non-invasive fetal DNA analysis allows earlier diagnosis, reducing the risk of treating with dexamethasone males and non-affected fetuses.Fetal treatment of myelomeningocele (MMC) is gaining momentum. Prospective studies including standardized urologic evaluation will determine if the encouraging results reported by some hold on the long term follow-up.