A large post-caesarean Niche (Isthmocele) with amenorrhea, a symptom that was not reported in the medical literature: A rare case report.
Int J Surg Case Rep 2023;
109:108528. [PMID:
37499350 PMCID:
PMC10413087 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.108528]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
Isthmocele is identified as an iatrogenic defect in the myometrium of the anterior uterine wall at the site of a previous cesarean scar due to defective tissue healing. Patients may have varied symptoms including abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and pelvic pain. Herein, we report a rare case of a large isthmocele that manifested with secondary amenorrhea; which was not reported in the medical literature previously.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 30-year-old Syrian woman, G5P5, came to our clinic with a complaint of secondary amenorrhea that began two years ago. She was treated symptomatically with progesterone with no response. She has had five cesarean sections. Ultrasonography findings suggested a large uterine niche. Trans-Abdominal niche repair was the obtained technique, depending on the drainage of the isthmocele, excising the fibrotic tissue from the edges and re-approximating them. On follow-up, menstruation returned to normal.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
Isthmocele can be, radiologically, defined as a hypoechoic or anechoic, triangular area at the scar site. Its pathophysiology is still unknown. Although, an isthmocele can be diagnosed using a variety of imaging techniques like ultrasonography (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), sonohysterography, and hysteroscopy; transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) is the first method described for assessing it. The goal of isthmocele treatment is to alleviate symptoms.
CONCLUSION
We recommend that health awareness campaigns alert people to the need to see a specialist doctor in the context of a serious complaint. For the uterine niche, many risk factors can be avoided to reduce its probability.
Collapse