Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome: Comparison of Two Cases

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome: A Case Report

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome is a rare congenital malformation of the Mullerian ducts characterized by uterine didelphys with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis. Commonly, such patients present with pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea following menarche, and an abdominal mass secondary to hematometrocolpos. In this report, a case of a 14-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, back pain and acute urinary retention. She attained menarche at the age of 10 years; however, symptoms of dysmenorrhea only appeared 4 years later. She was eventually diagnosed with the help of ultrasound and computed tomography urogram. She was managed conservatively with an incision and drainage procedure and was also advised for resection of vaginal septum. The nonspecific nature of symptoms such as regular menstruation with cyclical abdominal pain impedes the diagnosis which can lead to an array of complications. Awareness of this syndrome can help avoid misdiagnosis and allow for early surgical intervention.

Keywords

case reports; dysmenorrhea; uterine didelphys.

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.

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome: Challenges in diagnosis and management

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS), also known as OHVIRA syndrome (obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly) is a complex congenital malformation characterized by a triad including uterine didelphys, hemivaginal obstruction, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. In this case report, we present a case of HWWS along with the challenges in diagnosis and multi-step treatment processes. A 25-year-old woman presented to Dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital in Banda Aceh, Indonesia with a chief complaint of lower back pain for the past six months (two months after the marriage). The patient also complained of late menstruation, followed by thick yellow vaginal discharge resembling malodorous pus occurring after menstruation. Additionally, a history of fever and pain during intercourse was reported. Vaginal examination revealed purulent fluid emerging from a pinpoint hole on the right vaginal wall. Vaginal palpation revealed a two-branched uterus, along with a palpable cystic mass on the right vaginal wall. Ultrasound examination indicated the presence of the right and left hemi-uteri, measuring 4.7x1.35 cm and 5.7x1.26 cm in size, respectively with both ovaries appearing normal. Fluid accumulation was observed in the right hemivagina, while the left kidney exhibited normal features, and the right kidney showed signs of hypoplasia. The patient was diagnosed with uterus didelphys, fluid accumulation in the hemivagina, and right kidney hypoplasia. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed uterus didelphys and revealed narrowing of the right hemivagina, suggestive of HWWS. Hysteroscopy was performed to resect the vaginal septum with laparoscopic guidance, along with drainage of hematocolpos, pyocolpos and placement of an intracervical mold. Despite HWWs having conservative gradual management, it was opted to perform vaginal septum resection, hematocolpos and pyocolpos drainage and placement of an intracervical mould in this case, in order to relieve symptoms and restore the reproductive and sexual functions.

Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly Syndrome: A Systematic Review about Diagnosis and Surgical Management

Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis (OHVIRA) syndrome is a rare congenital defect of the Müllerian ducts characterized by uterus didelphys, unilateral obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the main symptoms and presentation of the OHVIRA syndrome, as well as the different types of management, fertility, and obstetrical outcomes. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases since inception to May 1, 2022, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. After duplicate records removed, the search strategy retrieved 103 articles. The full texts of 73 articles further were assessed for eligibility, and 44 studies were finally included in the systematic review. The mainstay surgical treatment of OHVIRA syndrome is usually a minimally invasive vaginal approach to remove the septum. Ultrasound-guided hysteroscopic resection and laparoscopic resection of the septum have been described as alternatives. Considering the feasibility of minimally invasive approach for the management of the syndrome, laparotomy should be avoided as much as possible and considered only in selected cases.

Laparoscopy combined with transvaginal surgery for Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUND

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich (HWW) syndrome is a rare congenital Mullerian duct anomaly disease that is characterized by a triad of symptoms, didelphys uterus, blind hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. Herein, we reported a case from China.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 11-year-old patient presented to our hospital with lower abdominal pain and frequent urination. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed hematocolpos, uterine hemorrhage, didelphys uterus, and renal agenesis on the right side. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with HWW syndrome. Laparoscopic combined with transvaginal surgery to remove the vaginal septum, the symptoms of the lesion disappeared after the blood was discharged.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal urination and other symptoms should be carefully examined in adolescent girls with abdominal pain not menarche, since they may be related to reproductive organ development disorders and other diseases. We recommend laparoscopy combined with transvaginal surgery to remove the oblique septum in HWW syndrome, which is rarely reported.

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.

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.