Uterine avulsion: a rare cause of cryptomenorrhea

Abstract

Background: Cryptomenorrhea at menarche is commonly due to mullerian duct anomalies. Uterine avulsion due to blunt pelvic trauma is a very rare cause of cryptomenorrhea. But so far no case of uterine avulsion has been reported due to a childhood trauma without pelvic fracture.

Case: A 15-year-old young girl was evaluated for delayed menarche and the diagnosis of hematometra with obstruction at the level of internal cervical os was made on radiological examination. Detailed history revealed significant childhood blunt pelvic trauma when at the age of 3 years she was run over by a tractor. But the presence or absence of pelvic fracture was never documented as no radiographs were obtained. On abdominopelvic exploration cervix was well formed. Uterine body was found to be separated from the supravaginal cervix and there was a peritoneal window in between. During surgery hematometra was drained and the continuity of the uterine outflow tract was restored. Post surgery patient started having normal periods.

Summary and conclusions: Though very rare, uterine avulsion during pelvic trauma may cause cryptomenorrhea. Therefore such history should be sought in all cases of obstruction of the cervical canal because cryptomenorrhea has a much better prognosis than cervical congenital dysgenesis.