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Am J Perinatol 2004; 21(07): 387-389
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-835311
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Incarceration of the Retroverted Uterus at Term Gestation

Hiroshi Matsushita
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Niigata University school of medicine, Niigata, Japan
,
Takumi Kurabayashi
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Niigata University school of medicine, Niigata, Japan
,
Masahiko Higashino
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Niigata University school of medicine, Niigata, Japan
,
Yumi Kojima
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Niigata University school of medicine, Niigata, Japan
,
Koichi Takakuwa
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Niigata University school of medicine, Niigata, Japan
,
Kenichi Tanaka
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,Niigata University school of medicine, Niigata, Japan
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Incarceration of the retroverted uterus is a rare complication of pregnancy and rarely persists until term. The diagnosis is extremely difficult to make and a cesarean section should be performed in such cases. A 33-year-old Japanese woman was admitted at 40 weeks gestation for evaluation of preeclampsia. Vaginal examination revealed that the uterine cervix could hardly be visualized, although the fetal head was impacted in the pelvis. These findings suggested incarceration of the retroverted uterus. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed and clarified the exact anatomical relationship and confirmed the diagnosis. She therefore underwent a cesarean section and a male infant weighing 3552 g was delivered with Apgar scores of 9 and 10 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. At surgery she was found to have an adhesion between the uterus and the pouch of Douglas. MRI is a useful tool in correctly making the diagnosis of uterine incarceration and facilitates preparation for a cesarean section.

Keywords

Uterine incarceration - magnetic resonance imaging - pregnancy complication


Publication History

Publication Date:
08 October 2004 (online)

© 2004. Copyright © 2004 by Theime Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Thieme Medical Publishers
333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

 

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