Uterus didelphys

Changed by Yuranga Weerakkody, 4 Oct 2014
Back to revision history

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

A uterus didelphys is a type of Müllerian duct anomaly (class III) where there is complete duplication of uterine horns as well as duplication of the cervix, with no communication between them.  

Epidemiology

Didelphic uteri account for approximately ~8% (range 5-11%) of Müllerian duct anomalies.

Clinical presentation

Many patients are asymptomatic although some may occasionally experience dyspareunia as a result of the vaginal septum.

Pathology

It results from failed ductal fusion that occurs between the 12th and 16th week of pregnancy and is characterized by two symmetric, widely divergent uterine horns and two cervices. The uterine volume in each duplicated segment is reduced. As with most uterine anatomical anomalies, there is an increased incidence of fertility issues, and Müllerian abnormalities in general are over represented in infertile women. The chance of seeing a pregnancy to term is significantly reduced, down to only 20%, with a third of pregnancies ending in abortion and over half in premature deliveries. Only 40% of pregnancies resulted in living children 2. 

Along with unicornuate uterus, uterus didelphys has the greatest impact on reproductive performance reference required. 

Associations

Radiographic features

Classically shows two widely spaced uterine corpora, each with a single Fallopian tube. Separate divergent uterine horns with large fundal cleft (as distinct from a septate uterus)

Uterus didelphys should be differentiated from a bicornuate uterus (separation of horns only) and a septate uterus (midline uterine septum).

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

HSG demonstrates two separate endocervical canals that open into separate fusiform endometrial cavities, with no communication between the two horns. Each endometrial cavity ends in a solitary fallopian tube.

If the anomaly is associated with an obstructed longitudinal vaginal septum, only one cervical os may be depicted, and it may be cannulated with the endometrial configuration mimicking a unicornuate uterus.

Pelvic ultrasound

Separate divergent uterine horns are identified with a large fundal cleft. Endometrial cavities are uniformly separate, with no evidence of communication. Two separate cervices need to be documented.

MRI

MR imaging demonstrates two separate uteri with widely divergent apices, two separate cervices, and usually an upper vaginal longitudinal septum. In each uterus, normal uterine zonal anatomy is preserved.

Complications

See also

  • -<p>A <strong>uterus didelphys</strong> is a type of <a href="/articles/mullerian-duct-anomaly-classification">Müllerian duct anomaly</a> (class III) where there is complete duplication of uterine horns as well as duplication of the cervix, with no communication between them.  </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Didelphic uteri account for approximately ~8% (range 5-11%) of Müllerian duct anomalies.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Many patients are asymptomatic although some may occasionally experience dyspareunia as a result of the vaginal septum.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>It results from failed ductal fusion that occurs between the 12<sup>th</sup> and 16<sup>th</sup> week of pregnancy and is characterized by two symmetric, widely divergent uterine horns and two cervices. The uterine volume in each duplicated segment is reduced. As with most uterine anatomical anomalies, there is an increased incidence of fertility issues, and Müllerian abnormalities in general are over represented in infertile women. The chance of seeing a pregnancy to term is significantly reduced, down to only 20%, with a third of pregnancies ending in abortion and over half in premature deliveries. Only 40% of pregnancies resulted in living children <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>Along with <a href="/articles/unicornuate-uterus">unicornuate uterus</a>, uterus didelphys has the greatest impact on reproductive performance <sup>reference required</sup>. </p><h5><strong>Associations</strong></h5><ul>
  • +<p>A <strong>uterus didelphys</strong> is a type of <a href="/articles/mullerian-duct-anomaly-classification">Müllerian duct anomaly</a> (class III) where there is complete duplication of uterine horns as well as duplication of the cervix, with no communication between them.  </p><h4>Epidemiology</h4><p>Didelphic uteri account for approximately ~8% (range 5-11%) of Müllerian duct anomalies.</p><h4>Clinical presentation</h4><p>Many patients are asymptomatic although some may occasionally experience dyspareunia as a result of the vaginal septum.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>It results from failed ductal fusion that occurs between the 12<sup>th</sup> and 16<sup>th</sup> week of pregnancy and is characterized by two symmetric, widely divergent uterine horns and two cervices. The uterine volume in each duplicated segment is reduced. As with most uterine anatomical anomalies, there is an increased incidence of fertility issues, and Müllerian abnormalities in general are over represented in infertile women. The chance of seeing a pregnancy to term is significantly reduced, down to only 20%, with a third of pregnancies ending in abortion and over half in premature deliveries. Only 40% of pregnancies resulted in living children <sup>2</sup>. </p><p>Along with <a href="/articles/unicornuate-uterus">unicornuate uterus</a>, uterus didelphys has the greatest impact on reproductive performance <sup>reference required</sup>. </p><h5>Associations</h5><ul>
  • -</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Classically shows two widely spaced uterine corpora, each with a single Fallopian tube. Separate divergent uterine horns with large fundal cleft (as distinct from a <a href="/articles/septate-uterus">septate uterus</a>)</p><p>Uterus didelphys should be differentiated from a <a href="/articles/bicornuate_uterus">bicornuate uterus</a> (separation of horns only) and a <a href="/articles/septate-uterus">septate uterus</a> (midline uterine septum).</p><h5>Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)</h5><p>HSG demonstrates two separate endocervical canals that open into separate fusiform endometrial cavities, with no communication between the two horns. Each endometrial cavity ends in a solitary fallopian tube.</p><p>If the anomaly is associated with an obstructed longitudinal vaginal septum, only one cervical os may be depicted, and it may be cannulated with the endometrial configuration mimicking a unicornuate uterus.</p><h5>Pelvic ultrasound</h5><p>Separate divergent uterine horns are identified with a large fundal cleft. Endometrial cavities are uniformly separate, with no evidence of communication. Two separate cervices need to be documented.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>MR imaging demonstrates two separate uteri with widely divergent apices, two separate cervices, and usually an upper vaginal longitudinal septum. In each uterus, normal uterine zonal anatomy is preserved.</p><h4>Complications</h4><ul>
  • +</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Classically shows two widely spaced uterine corpora, each with a single Fallopian tube. Separate divergent uterine horns with large fundal cleft (as distinct from a <a href="/articles/septate-uterus">septate uterus</a>)</p><p>Uterus didelphys should be differentiated from a <a href="/articles/bicornuate-uterus">bicornuate uterus</a> (separation of horns only) and a <a href="/articles/septate-uterus">septate uterus</a> (midline uterine septum).</p><h5>Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)</h5><p>HSG demonstrates two separate endocervical canals that open into separate fusiform endometrial cavities, with no communication between the two horns. Each endometrial cavity ends in a solitary fallopian tube.</p><p>If the anomaly is associated with an obstructed longitudinal vaginal septum, only one cervical os may be depicted, and it may be cannulated with the endometrial configuration mimicking a unicornuate uterus.</p><h5>Pelvic ultrasound</h5><p>Separate divergent uterine horns are identified with a large fundal cleft. Endometrial cavities are uniformly separate, with no evidence of communication. Two separate cervices need to be documented.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>MR imaging demonstrates two separate uteri with widely divergent apices, two separate cervices, and usually an upper vaginal longitudinal septum. In each uterus, normal uterine zonal anatomy is preserved.</p><h4>Complications</h4><ul>

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads