Renal and urological abnormalities occurring with Mullerian anomalies

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Urology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Congenital uterine anomalies are a diverse group of malformations.
• These anomalies can be associated with other developmental abnormalities.
• Renal and urological abnormalities are known to occur in patients with uterine anomalies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the range and incidence of renal and urological abnormalities in women with uterine anomalies.
• To highlight the clinical significance of these co-occurring conditions.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 164 women from a specialist gynaecological anomaly clinic.
• Assessment of imaging data for 113 patients over an 8-year period.
• Evaluation of both gynaecological and renal tract morphology.

Main Results:

• Absent unilateral kidney was the most common finding (31.8%), particularly in Type 3 uterine anomalies.
• Pelvic ureteric remnants were observed in 9/36 patients with absent kidneys, often with vaginal insertion.
• Urological issues like ectopic ureters, scarred, and dysplastic kidneys occurred in 11 patients with two kidneys.
• Obstructed hemivaginas were frequently linked to absent kidneys.

Conclusions:

• The study identified previously unreported renal and urological abnormalities in patients with uterine anomalies.
• These abnormalities carry significant clinical implications, including incontinence and infection risk from ectopic ureters.
• Understanding ureteric anatomy, including remnants, is vital for successful gynecological surgery.