Presentation
Amenorrhea. Dysplastic alteration of the thoracolumbar spine.
Patient Data
Uterus and proximal vaginal canal (upper 2/3) are unidentified (agenesis).
The ovaries are normal-appearing.
Arthrodesis of the thoracolumbar spine, with transpedicular rods and screws in L3 and L4.
Absence of uterus and 2/3 thirds proximal of vagina (the outlined structures are absent).
Normal ovaries.
Case Discussion
The Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) is characterized by congenital aplasia of the uterus and 2/3 of the upper vagina in women with normal development of secondary sexual characteristics and a normal karyotype. The two structures have their origins from Mullerian tissue (ovaries arise separately from the gonadal ridge).
The syndrome can be thought of as two types:
- type I: agenesis of the uterus and the upper portion of the vagina
- type II: an association of renal defects, vertebral and, to a lesser extent, to auditory and cardiac alterations (MURCS)
The first clinical sign of the syndrome is a primary amenorrhea in young women with normal development of secondary sexual characteristics and normal external genitalia, with normal and functional ovaries, in addition to karyotype 46, XX.
This case was kindly provided by Dra. Luciane Schuller.