Incarcerated retroverted gravid uterus presenting as placenta praevia

Incarceration of a gravid uterus with massive placental enlargement and fetal triploidy at 19 weeks of gestation - A case report on the simultaneous presence of two rare conditions

This article reports a rare case of uterine incarceration in pregnancy concurrent with nonmolar fetal triploidy and massive placental enlargement in a 35-year-old primigravida. The patient presented with abdominal discomfort and peripheral edema at 19 weeks of gestation. Diagnostic assessments revealed a retroflexed uterus with a massively enlarged placenta and a severely growth-restricted fetus. Uterine repositioning was successfully achieved after rectal filling. However, spontaneous fetal demise led to vaginal delivery. The fetal autopsy confirmed female triploidy. Histopathology of the placenta showed no features of a partial mole. This case highlights the challenges in diagnosing uterine incarceration in pregnancy, the need for early intervention and the complexity of managing multiple concurrent pathologies.

Incarcerated gravid uterus - A systematic review

Incarcerated gravid uterus (IGU) is a serious complication of pregnancy that leads to adverse obstetric outcomes. The aim of this review was to describe this entity in detail. We also aimed to understand if pregnancies with predisposing risk factors that increase the risk of developing IGU had a difference in their clinical manifestations, treatment, and obstetric outcomes. The PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus databases and clinicaltrials.gov were searched from inception to July 2023. Case reports and series that provided all the details of the pregnancy and IGU outcome were included. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using a tool that is an adaptation from criteria listed by Pierson, Bradford Hills and Newcastle Ottawa scale modification. Patients with the condition of interest included in this review were grouped into those with documented, identified risk factors and no risk factors. The two groups were compared to understand the difference in obstetric outcome and presentation of IGU. Data were analyzed and summarized descriptively, categorical variables were assessed by chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test, and continuous variables by the Wilcoxon Mann Whitney test. Of 236 articles found, 62 articles with 80 cases were included in the final analysis. The median age was 32 [27-35] years. The median gestational age of diagnosis was 17 [14-26] weeks. The most common risk factor was fibroids (N = 22, 27.5 %). Most common presentation was urinary complaints and lower abdomen pain (N = 47, 58.6 %). Twenty-seven patients (33.6 %) needed more than one visit for the diagnosis to be made. Conservative management was the first step to treat IGU in most patients. Most common complication was fetal malpresentation (N = 13, 40.6 %). Patients with or without risk factors developing IGU had no statistical difference in- parity, median gestational age of diagnosis, delay in diagnosis, increased chance of misdiagnosis, management of IGU or in obstetric outcome (all p > 0.05). It is important to recognize this entity early to prevent obstetric complications especially when patients report urinary retention and abdomen pain. The presence of risk factors does not change the management course or obstetric outcome in patients with IGU. Hence it is reasonable to start with conservative management of IGU regardless of presence of risk factors or the gestational age of diagnosis, in clinical practice.

Acute urinary retention in the first and second-trimester of pregnancy: Three case reports

BACKGROUND

Acute urinary retention (AUR) is rare during pregnancy.

CASE SUMMARY

We report on three pregnant women with AUR between the 10^th and 18^th wk of gestation. Case 1 was first diagnosed as urinary tract infection and developed a urinary tract infection due to urinary retention caused by urethral obstruction. Case 2 had a history of previous abdominal surgery for pelvic tuberculosis, leading to severe adhesions and a persistent retroverted uterus. In case 3, healthcare providers focused on the patient’s gastrointestinal symptoms and did not investigate her inability to void. Case 1 required manual disimpaction of the uterus and the knee-chest position. The other cases required immediate catheterization. The condition resolved in cases 1 and 2; these patients had normal pregnancies. Case 3 had severe complications at the time of consultation, leading to an abortion.

CONCLUSION

Retroverted uterus is the most common cause of AUR. Prompt recognition and diagnosis are required. Clinicians should be aware of the risk factors, etiology, and clinical presentation of AUR in the first and second trimester of pregnancy.

Incarceration of the gravid uterus: a case report and literature review

Background

Incarceration of the gravid uterus is a rare obstetric disorder that contributes to pregnancy-related complications. To understand its clinical characteristics and managements, we have reviewed the etiology, risk factors, clinical characteristics and current treatments of an incarcerated gravid uterus based on 162 cases reported in the English language literature, including our patient.

Case presentation

A 25-year-old primigravida, with a history of lymphatic tuberculosis, infertility due to blocked fallopian tubes and received in vitro fertilization. The patient presented with urine retention and lower abdominal pain in the early second trimester. Uterine incarceration was diagnosed based on pelvic examination and abdominal ultrasound. A Foley catheter was placed and manual reposition was successful. No episode of retention was experienced after the further enlargement of the uterus and its ascent. A healthy infant was delivered vaginally on 38th week of pregnancy.

Conclusions

Uterine incarceration due to pelvic adhesions is rare and, because of it non-specific clinical presentations, is often misdiagnosed. Abdominal ultrasound is instrumental for the diagnosis because it can directly image the disturbed uterine and pelvic anatomy. There are limited treatment options for uterine incarceration, but definitive diagnosis allows procedures to treat and to reduce severe complications of uterine incarceration.

Incarcerated Uterus Presenting as Short Cervix and Placenta Previa

Introduction

Incarcerated uterus is a rare complication of pregnancy, usually associated with retroversion.

Case

A 26-year-old woman presents at 19 4/7 weeks for evaluation of a short cervix and placenta previa. On ultrasound scan, the placenta was considered previa and the cervix was not visualized. The cervix was not identified by pelvic examination and the presumptive diagnosis of short cervix was done. The patient was followed up closely and remained asymptomatic. Retrospective analysis of the ultrasound images showed a retroverted uterus with an elongated cervix compressed towards the anterior vaginal wall. At 26 weeks of gestation, ultrasound showed a cervical length of 41 mm and a fundal placenta and the diagnosis of spontaneous correction of an incarcerated uterus was made. The patient had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery at 39 3/7 weeks.

Comment

Identification and close follow-up of incarcerated uterus may potentially help in avoiding serious obstetrical and surgical complications.

Case report: incarceration of the gravid uterus: a radiologic and obstetric challenge

We will present the fourth case in the English-language literature of a mid-gestational colonoscopy-assisted manual reposition of an incarcerated uterus. Despite the ready availability of ultrasound, a great number of incarcerations are not recognized before term. Since early diagnosis is the key to a successful treatment, it is important that providers acquire prompt knowledge of this obstetric disorder. Magnetic Resonance Imaging has an important additional value to ultrasound in the detailed scanning of this potentially perilous condition.

[Incarceration of the retroverted uterus in the third trimester: report of 2 cases]

Incarceration of the retroverted gravid uterus in the third trimester is a rare but distinctive diagnosis. Initial symptoms are more frequently urinary and digestive symptoms which became more acute at the third trimester. Severe abdominal pain associated with bleeding in early labor leads to make the diagnosis during an emergency cesarean section. However, the typical features of the clinical transvaginal exam and the abdominal ultrasound exam can confirm easily this diagnosis. We report two additional cases where Joël-Cohen incision for cesarean section was possible after manual reposition of the uterus. We discuss the diagnostic approach and the management regarding a literature review.

Sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings in uterine incarceration

We show the sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging features of uterine incarceration. Clinical data and imaging findings were retrospectively reviewed for 8 confirmed cases identified by sonography from 2000 to 2010. Two patients had magnetic resonance imaging. Seven of 8 patients (87.5%) presented with abdominal pain; 4 of 8 (50.0%) also had urinary symptoms. All had a retroverted uterus with an elongated anterosuperiorly displaced or poorly visualized cervix on sonography. Magnetic resonance imaging showed similar features, but in both cases, the placental position was misinterpreted because of severe uterine retroversion. Radiologists should be aware of this condition and its imaging features to reduce associated morbidity and mortality.