The key to successful management of the rudimentary uterine horn is early detection. This review of the literature seeks to illustrate important aspects of diagnosis and management of this anomaly. An English language MEDLINE search from 1966 to 2003 was performed, using the search terms "rudimentary uterine horn," "accessory horn," "uterus bicornis unicollis," "hematometra," "unicornuate or bicornuate uterus," and "mullerian anomaly." References from previously published sources were also obtained. One hundred thirty letters, case reports, case series, and review articles featuring rudimentary uterine horn were found. Reports before 1966 were excluded because outcomes before the advent of modern diagnostic techniques were not relevant to this study. Three hundred sixty-six rudimentary horn presentations (210 gynecologic and 156 obstetric) were found. Noncommunicating horns accounted for 92% of cases (95% confidence interval [CI] 88-95%, P < .001), and renal anomaly was found in 36% (95% CI 29-44%). Contrary to the American Fertility Society classification of uterine anomalies, rudimentary horns may occur without a corresponding unicornuate uterus. The mean age of presentation was similar for gynecologic and obstetric presentations (23 and 26 years, 95% CIs 21.2-24.6 and 124.9-27.3 years, respectively). Presentation in the third decade of life or later occurred in 78% of patients (95% CI 70-84%, P < .001). Sensitivity of ultrasound examination for diagnosis was 26% (95% CI 18-36%). Diagnosis before clinical symptoms occurred in 14% (95% CI 7-23%). Many functional noncommunicating horns present during or after the third decade of life with acute obstetric uterine rupture. Surgical removal before pregnancy is recommended. Rates of prerupture diagnosis remain disappointingly low.
1 October 2009 in Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fibroadenomas are the most common breast masses in adolescent women, therefore it is important that health providers understand their assessment and management. This review discusses an approach to investigation and management of fibroadenomas in adolescents. Fibroadenomas are benign tumors which commonly present in late adolescence. They are classified according to their histology and size. Simple fibroadenomas are the most common type and usually present as smooth mobile masses up to 3 cm in diameter. Giant fibroadenomas are more uncommon but typically present in adolescence. Fibroadenomas associated with other soft-tissue masses should raise the possibility of an inherited syndrome. Assessment of breast masses in this age group generally involves clinical assessment through history and physical examination and, when imaging is needed, ultrasonography. As the incidence of primary breast malignancy is very low in this age group, core biopsy is not routinely recommended. Large or rapidly growing tumors, or those associated with suspicious features, warrant surgical excision. New minimally invasive excision techniques are being introduced which are associated with high initial success rates. Whereas the vast majority of fibroadenomas in teenagers may be monitored with surveillance alone, new minimally invasive techniques may play an important role in the management of selected patients.
14 September 2005 in Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a diverse family of viruses, of which 30-40 genotypes specifically infect the genital tract. Genital HPVs are largely transmitted sexually, with most infections being asymptomatic and transient. In contrast, persistent infection with oncogenic genotypes in a minority is a strong risk factor, for subsequent development of high grade dysplasia, the precursor lesion to cervical neoplasia, which generally occurs after a long latency period. It is unknown whether there is a disease correlate in children chronically infected with oncogenic HPVs. Low risk HPV genotypes 6 and 11 are the primary cause of condylomata acuminata, although in children non-genital genotypes are also found in a proportion, with the mode of transmission being either perinatal, horizontal, or sexual. The finding of asymptomatic HPV DNA in children, and correlation with live virus, infectivity, or disease is unclear. Long term follow up for children with anogenital warts is recommended, although there are no longitudinal studies available to clarify whether they are at risk of developing carcinoma in young adulthood.