Scoliosis in Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome: a case report and literature review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2014 Dec;93(28):e185. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000000185.

Abstract

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) is a congenital Müllerian duct anomaly characterized by uterine didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. Little is reported about spinal deformity associated with this syndrome. This study presents a case of scoliosis occurring in the setting of HWWS and explores the possible association between the 2 diseases. A previously unreported scoliosis in HWWS is described. The patient is a 12-year-old Chinese female with scoliosis that underwent a posterior correction at thoracic 5-thoracic 12 (T5-T12) levels, using the Moss-SI (Johnson & Johnson, American) spinal system. At 24-month follow-up, the patient was clinically pain free and well balanced. Plain radiographs showed solid spine fusion with no loss of deformity correction. Six months after scoliosis correction surgery, the patient went to our clinics for the treatment of HWWS. She was performed a vaginal septum resection and detected with pyocolpos. Her follow-up was symptom free at the fourth postoperative month. The prevalence of scoliosis among patients with HWWS was 8.57% that is much higher than the incidence of congential scoliosis among general population (1/1000). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of HWWS with thoracic scoliosis. During surgery, surgeons and anesthesiologists must pay particular attention to the Müllerian duct anomaly and renal agenesis associated with HWWS. There is a potential association between congenital scoliosis and HWWS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Hematocolpos / complications*
  • Hematocolpos / diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Kidney / abnormalities*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mullerian Ducts / abnormalities*
  • Scoliosis / diagnosis
  • Scoliosis / etiology*
  • Syndrome
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Uterus / abnormalities*
  • Vagina / abnormalities*