Uterine rupture of a patient with rudimentary horn pregnancy at 26th gestational weeks

Pregnancy of Rudimentary Horn is a type of ectopic pregnancy, that is recognized almost always during surgical treatment of a rupture of the rudimentary horn. This is an obstetric case diagnosed preoperatively by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

We report the case of a 19-years-old primigravida patient with rupture of rudimentary horn in 26th gestational week. The patient presented with sudden onset severe abdominal pain in the emergency room. Intraabdominal free fluid is detected. To evaluate the etiology of free fluid and location of the gestational sac, an abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan was planned. The decision of emergent laparotomy is made because of sonographic detection of abdominal excessive -concentrated- free fluid, abdominal tenderness, and 2 points decrease of hemoglobin value in the control hemogram. A rudimentary horn pregnancy and fundal rupture of the rudimentary part of the uterus are diagnosed during the surgical procedure. A baby -live- weighing 450 g was delivered. The ruptured rudimentary horn and same-sided tuba uterina were surgically removed.

Rudimentary horn pregnancy is a rare ectopic pregnancy. Diagnosis is difficult clinically, even with diagnostic imaging modalities. Identifying both cornuas systematically in all patients increases the detection rate. The absence of continuity between the gestational sac's lumen and the cervical canal on imaging is an important finding.

Due to the serious maternal and fetal complications, its detection at an early week may be life-saving.