Spontaneous prolonged hypertonic uterine contractions (essential uterine hypertonus) and a possible infective

G I Meniru1, E Brister, J Nemunaitis-Keller

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Aultman Hospital, 2600 Sixth Street, S.W., Canton, OH 44710, USA. gmeniru@hotmail.com

The management of a pregnant woman presenting with prolonged hypertonic uterine contractions (essential uterine hypertonus) and mildly elevated temperature at term is described. Histology of the placenta, cord and membranes, following delivery, revealed evidence of chorioamnionitis, funisitis and deciduitis. Our findings raise the possibility that essential uterine hypertonus may have an infective or inflammatory component to its etiology.

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