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 funct ...

wherein the uterus is shaped resembling the letter T. This is typically observed in

DES Des is a masculine given name, mostly a short form (hypocorism) of Desmond. People named Des include: People * Des Buckingham, English football manager * Des Corcoran, (1928–2004), Australian politician * Des Dillon (disambiguation), sever ...

-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 symptoms. ...

miscarriage Miscarriage, also known in medical terms as a spontaneous abortion and pregnancy loss, is the death of an embryo or fetus before it is able to survive independently. Miscarriage before 6 weeks of gestation is defined by ESHRE as biochemical lo ...

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, also known as a congenital disorder, is an abnormal condition that is present at birth regardless of its cause. Birth defects may result in disabilities that may be physical, intellectual, or developmental. The disabilities can ...

ly.

Diagnosis

Women are often diagnosed with this condition after several failed pregnancies, proceeded by exploratory diagnostic procedures, such as

magnetic resonance Magnetic resonance is a process by which a physical excitation (resonance) is set up via magnetism. This process was used to develop magnetic resonance imaging and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy technology. It is also being used to ...

sonography Medical ultrasound includes diagnostic techniques (mainly medical imaging, imaging techniques) using ultrasound, as well as therapeutic ultrasound, therapeutic applications of ultrasound. In diagnosis, it is used to create an image of internal ...

, and particularly

hysterosalpingography Hysterosalpingography (HSG), also known as uterosalpingography, is a 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 using dye to look at the womb (uter ...

. In such studies, a widening of the

interstitial An interstitial space or interstice is a space between structures or objects. In particular, interstitial may refer to: Biology * Interstitial cell tumor * Interstitial cell, any cell that lies between other cells * Interstitial collagenase, ...

and

isthmus of uterine tube The fallopian tubes, also known as uterine tubes, oviducts or salpinges (singular salpinx), are paired tubes in the human female that stretch from the uterus to the ovaries. The fallopian tubes are part of the female reproductive system. In ot ...

is observed, as well as constrictions or narrowing of the uterus as a whole, especially the lower and lateral portions, hence the "t" denomination. The uterus might be simultaneously reduced in volume, and other abnormalities might be concomitantly present.

Prognosis

Although fertility is impaired, T-shaped uterus sufferers can bear children. However, they carry a greater risk of complications, such as miscarriages, reduced fertility and preterm births, both before and after any treatment. The current surgical procedure to treat this malformation, termed a hysteroscopic correction or

metroplasty Metroplasty (also called Strassman metroplasty, uteroplasty or hysteroplasty) is a reconstructive surgery used to repair congenital anomalies of the uterus, including septate uterus and bicornuate uterus A bicornuate uterus or bicornate uterus ( ...

, is undertaken by performing a lateral

incision Incision may refer to: * Cutting, the separation of an object, into two or more portions, through the application of an acutely directed force * A type of open wound caused by a clean, sharp-edged object such as a knife, razor, or glass splinter ...

of the uterine walls, and can return the organ to a normal morphology, while improving the patient's former reproductive performance. It is considered a low-risk procedure, and can also improve term delivery rate by up to 10-fold, as long as the

endometrium The endometrium is the inner epithelial layer, along with its mucous membrane, of the mammalian uterus. It has a basal layer and a functional layer: the basal layer contains stem cells which regenerate the functional layer. The functional laye ...

is considered to be in good condition. However, risks after the procedure include

placenta accreta Placenta accreta occurs when all or part of the placenta attaches abnormally to the ''myometrium'' (the muscular layer of the uterine wall). Three grades of abnormal placental attachment are defined according to the depth of attachment and invasio ...

Asherman's syndrome Asherman's syndrome (AS) is an acquired uterine condition that occurs when scar tissue (adhesions) forms inside the uterus and/or the cervix. It is characterized by variable scarring inside the uterine cavity, where in many cases the front and bac ...

and severe

haemorrhage Bleeding, hemorrhage, haemorrhage or blood loss, is blood escaping from the circulatory system from damaged blood vessels. Bleeding can occur internally, or externally either through a natural opening such as the mouth, nose, ear, urethra, vagi ...

Causes

Diagnosis

Prognosis

See also

References

Further reading