A t-shaped uterus is a type of
uterine malformation
A uterine malformation is a type of female genital malformation resulting from an abnormal development of the Müllerian duct(s) during embryogenesis. Symptoms range from amenorrhea, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and pain, to normal f ...
wherein the uterus is shaped resembling the letter T.
This is typically observed in
DES-exposed women.
It is recognised in the
ESHRE/ESGE classification,
and is associated with failed
implantation, increased risk of
ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which the embryo attaches outside the uterus. Signs and symptoms classically include abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding, but fewer than 50 percent of affected women have both of these sympto ...
,
miscarriage
Miscarriage, also known in medical terms as a spontaneous abortion, is an end to pregnancy resulting in the loss and expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the womb before it can fetal viability, survive independently. Miscarriage before 6 weeks ...
and preterm delivery. There is a surgical procedure to correct the malformation.
Causes
The T-shaped malformation is commonly associated with in-utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (the so-called "
DES daughters"). It is also presented
congenital
A birth defect is an abnormal condition that is present at childbirth, birth, regardless of its cause. Birth defects may result in disability, disabilities that may be physical disability, physical, intellectual disability, intellectual, or dev ...
ly.
Diagnosis
Women are often diagnosed with this condition after several failed pregnancies, proceeded by exploratory diagnostic procedures, such as
magnetic resonance,
sonography
Medical ultrasound includes diagnostic techniques (mainly imaging) using ultrasound, as well as therapeutic applications of ultrasound. In diagnosis, it is used to create an image of internal body structures such as tendons, muscles, joints ...
, and particularly
hysterosalpingography
Hysterosalpingography (HSG), also known as uterosalpingography, is a radiology, radiologic procedure to investigate the shape of the uterine cavity and the shape and patency of the fallopian tubes. It is a special x-ray procedure using Contrast ...
.
In such studies, a widening of the