Myometrial tissue in uterine septa

Abstract

Study objective: To assess the frequency of myometrial tissue in the septa of septate uteri.

Design: Retrospective review (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

Setting: University-affiliated tertiary referral center.

Patients: Twenty-nine consecutive women with uterine septa diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Interventions: The MRI examination was performed with a 1.5 Tesla scanner using high-resolution phased array coils with multiplanar fast-spin echo and T1-weighted sequences. Of resected septa, tissue was available in four for histologic evaluation for the presence of myometrial tissue.

Measurements and main results: In 17 women MRI showed a partial septum, all containing myometrium. The 12 patients with complete septum had evidence of myometrium in the upper part of the septum, with fibrous tissue constituting the lower part. Histology reviewed from four resected septa (2 partial, 2 complete) reported myometrial tissue.

Conclusion: Uterine septa are frequently composed of myometrial tissue.