Arcuate uterus
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An arcuate uterus is a mildly variant shape of the uterus. It is technically one of the Müllerian duct anomalies, but is often classified as a normal variant. It is the uterine anomaly that is least commonlyassociated with reproductive failure. Arcuate uterus can be characterized with ultrasound or MRI.
Pathology
An arcuate uterus is characterized by a mild indentation of the endometrium at the uterine fundus. It occurs due to a failure of complete resorption of the uterovaginal septum. It is the most common Mullarian duct anomaly, affecting 3.9% of the general population 7.
Radiographic features
General features include:
- normal fundal contour
- no division of uterine horns
- smooth indentation of fundal endometrial canal - the depth of indentation is usually considered to be <1 cm
- increased transverse diameter of uterine cavity
Pelvic ultrasound
A normal external uterine contour is noted, with a broad smooth indentation on the fundal segment of the endometrium. No division of the uterine horns.
Hysterosalpingogram
Opacification of the endometrial cavity demonstrates a single uterine canal with a broad saddle-shaped indentation of the uterine fundus.
MRI
A normal external uterine contour is maintained. The myometrial fundal indentation is smooth and broad, and the signal intensity of this region is iso-intense to normal myometrium.
Differential diagnosis
-
septate uterus
- arcuate uterus and septate uterus exist on a spectrum from least to most resorption of the uterovaginal septum, respectively
-
bicornuate uterus
- arcuate uterus can be distinguished from a bicornuate uterus on the basis of its complete fundal unification (i.e. the arcuate uterus has a normal or slightly indented external fundal contour, whereas the bicornuate has a more marked fundal indentation, no more than 5 mm above the level of the uterine horns)
-<p>An<strong> arcuate uterus</strong> is a mildly variant shape of the uterus. It is technically one of the <a href="/articles/mullerian-duct-anomalies">Müllerian duct anomalies</a>, but is often classified as a normal variant. It is the uterine anomaly that is least commonly<strong> </strong>associated with reproductive failure. Arcuate uterus can be characterized with ultrasound or MRI.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>An arcuate uterus is characterized by a mild indentation of the endometrium at the uterine fundus. It occurs due to a failure of complete resorption of the uterovaginal septum. It is the most common Mullarian duct anomaly, affecting 3.9% of the general population <sup>7</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>General features include:</p><ul>-<li>normal fundal contour</li>-<li>no division of <a href="/articles/uterine-horns">uterine horns</a>-</li>-<li>smooth indentation of fundal <a href="/articles/endometrial-canal">endometrial canal</a> - the depth of indentation is usually considered to be <1 cm</li>-<li>increased transverse diameter of <a href="/articles/uterine-cavity">uterine cavity</a>-</li>-</ul><h5>Pelvic ultrasound</h5><p>A normal external uterine contour is noted, with a broad smooth indentation on the fundal segment of the endometrium. No division of the uterine horns.</p><h5>Hysterosalpingogram</h5><p>Opacification of the endometrial cavity demonstrates a single uterine canal with a broad saddle-shaped indentation of the uterine fundus.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>A normal external uterine contour is maintained. The myometrial fundal indentation is smooth and broad, and the signal intensity of this region is iso-intense to normal myometrium.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul>-<li>-<a href="/articles/septate-uterus">septate uterus</a><ul><li>arcuate uterus and septate uterus exist on a spectrum from least to most resorption of the uterovaginal septum, respectively</li></ul>-</li>-<li>-<a href="/articles/bicornuate-uterus">bicornuate uterus</a><ul><li>arcuate uterus can be distinguished from a <a href="/articles/bicornuate-uterus">bicornuate uterus</a> on the basis of its complete fundal unification (i.e. the arcuate uterus has a normal or slightly indented external fundal contour, whereas the bicornuate has a more marked fundal indentation, no more than 5 mm above the level of the uterine horns)</li></ul>-</li>- +<p>An<strong> arcuate uterus</strong> is a mildly variant shape of the uterus. It is technically one of the <a href="/articles/mullerian-duct-anomalies">Müllerian duct anomalies</a>, but is often classified as a normal variant. It is the uterine anomaly that is least commonly<strong> </strong>associated with reproductive failure. Arcuate uterus can be characterized with ultrasound or MRI.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>An arcuate uterus is characterized by a mild indentation of the endometrium at the uterine fundus. It occurs due to a failure of complete resorption of the uterovaginal septum. It is the most common Mullarian duct anomaly, affecting 3.9% of the general population <sup>7</sup>.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>General features include:</p><ul>
- +<li>normal fundal contour</li>
- +<li>no division of <a href="/articles/uterine-horns">uterine horns</a>
- +</li>
- +<li>smooth indentation of fundal <a href="/articles/endometrial-canal">endometrial canal</a> - the depth of indentation is usually considered to be <1 cm</li>
- +<li>increased transverse diameter of <a href="/articles/uterine-cavity">uterine cavity</a>
- +</li>
- +</ul><h5>Pelvic ultrasound</h5><p>A normal external uterine contour is noted, with a broad smooth indentation on the fundal segment of the endometrium. No division of the uterine horns.</p><h5>Hysterosalpingogram</h5><p>Opacification of the endometrial cavity demonstrates a single uterine canal with a broad saddle-shaped indentation of the uterine fundus.</p><h5>MRI</h5><p>A normal external uterine contour is maintained. The myometrial fundal indentation is smooth and broad, and the signal intensity of this region is iso-intense to normal myometrium.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul>
- +<li>
- +<a href="/articles/septate-uterus">septate uterus</a><ul><li>arcuate uterus and septate uterus exist on a spectrum from least to most resorption of the uterovaginal septum, respectively</li></ul>
- +</li>
- +<li>
- +<a href="/articles/bicornuate-uterus">bicornuate uterus</a><ul><li>arcuate uterus can be distinguished from a <a href="/articles/bicornuate-uterus">bicornuate uterus</a> on the basis of its complete fundal unification (i.e. the arcuate uterus has a normal or slightly indented external fundal contour, whereas the bicornuate has a more marked fundal indentation, no more than 5 mm above the level of the uterine horns)</li></ul>
- +</li>
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