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Robert's uterus: modern imaging techniques and ultrasound‐guided hysteroscopic treatment without laparoscopy or laparotomy
Author(s) -
Ludwin A.,
Ludwin I.,
Martins W. P.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.15976
Subject(s) - medicine , laparotomy , laparoscopy , ultrasound , uterus , general surgery , hysteroscopy , radiology , obstetrics
Robert's uterus is a unique malformation, described as a septate uterus with a non‐communicating hemicavity, consisting of a blind uterine horn usually with unilateral hematometra, a contralateral unicornuate uterine cavity and a normally shaped external uterine fundus. The main symptom in affected young women is pelvic pain that becomes intensified near menses. We describe the case of a 22‐year‐old woman who was referred for diagnostic assessment and treatment of a congenital uterine anomaly. We used three‐dimensional sonohysterography with volume‐contrast imaging, HDLive rendering mode and automatic volume calculation (SonoHysteroAVC) for the diagnosis, surgical planning and postoperative evaluation. These imaging techniques provided a complete understanding of the internal and external uterine structures, enabling us to perform a minimally invasive hysteroscopic metroplasty, guided by transrectal ultrasound, and therefore avoiding the need for laparotomy/laparoscopy. The outcome of treatment was considered satisfactory; menstruation ceased to be painful and, after two hysteroscopic procedures, the communicating 0.3‐cm 3 hemicavity was visualized as a 3.6‐cm 3 normalized uterine cavity using the same imaging techniques. The findings of this case report raise questions about the embryological origin of Robert's uterus, the suitability of current classification systems, and the role of more invasive approaches (laparoscopy/laparotomy) and surgical procedures (horn resection/endometrectomy) that do not aim to improve uterine cavity shape and volume in women with this condition. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.