Co-Existence of a Rudimentary Non-Communicating Horn with a Unicornuate Uterus in Association with 2 Components of the VACTERL Association: A Case Report

Abstract

The prevalence of congenital uterine anomalies has been reported as 6.7% in the general population. The unicornuate uterus accounts for 2.4-13% of all Mullerian anomalies and has a prevalence of 1:1000. A unicornuate uterus may be present alone or with a rudimentary horn and 75-90% of rudimentary horns are non-communicating. A pregnancy in the rudimentary horn may lead to uterine rupture, haemoperitoneum with a high risk of maternal mortality. The association of a unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating uterine horn to the VACTERL association of defects (vertebral anomalies, anorectal malformations, cardiovascular anomalies, tracheoesophageal fistula, esophageal atresia, renal anomalies and limb defects) has been described only twice in the literature. We report a patient who was born with an extra thumb and had a trachea-bronchial remnant with oesophageal stenosis that were both operated on earlier, and they were associated with a non-communicating rudimentary uterine horn. To the best of our knowledge, this is the third case reported in the literature of a VACTERL association to a unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating functional rudimentary horn. Given the high risk for the patient if pregnant an early diagnosis is paramount. This case highlights the importance of considering Mullerian defects in the young patient born with components of the VACTERL association.