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3D ultrasound study of uterine anomalies in women with history of recurrent miscarriage
Author(s) -
Salim R.,
Woelfer B.,
Regan L.,
Bakos M.,
Jurkovic D.
Publication year - 2001
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 - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2001.abs08-4.x
Subject(s) - medicine , miscarriage , uterine cavity , uterus , recurrent miscarriage , obstetrics , gynecology , pregnancy , hysterosalpingography , infertility , genetics , biology
Purpose: Congenital uterine anomalies are associated with adverse reproductive outcomes. In this study, we have examined the significant differences in the severity of uterine malformation in women with history of recurrent miscarriage and those in whom uterine anomaly was diagnosed incidentally. Methods: A total of 503 consecutive women with a history of recurrent miscarriage and 3228 low risk women attending for an ultrasound scan for indications other than infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss were screened for the presence of congenital uterine anomaly using 3D ultrasound. The anomalies were classified according to the American Fertility Society classification. The length of uterine septa, depth of fundal indentation (arcuate uterus) and length of uterine cavity were all measured. The degree of distortion was expressed as a ratio of septum length (or fundal indentation) and the length of the uterine cavity (distortion ratio = septum length/septum length + residual cavity length). Results: Eighty‐one arcuate and 26 subseptate uteri were detected in the group of women with history of recurrent miscarriage, whilst 72 arcuate and 29 subseptate uteri were diagnosed incidentally. There was no significant difference in the septum length ( P > 0.01) or fundal indentation ( P > 0.01) between the two groups. The uterine distortion ratio in women with a history of recurrent miscarriage was significantly greater compared to women with a normal reproductive history in both arcuate ( t = − 3.258, P < 0.01) and subseptate ( t = − 1.126, P < 0.01) uteri. Conclusions: The uterine cavity was more distorted in women with history of recurrent miscarriage compared to low risk women. This finding may partly explain the differences in the past reproductive performance between these two groups of women.