Katharina Rall

Malformations in a cohort of 284 women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH)

BackgroundThe aim of this retrospective study was to describe the spectrum of genital and associated malformations in women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome using evaluated diagnostic procedures and the Vagina Cervix Uterus Adnex – associated Malformation classification system (VCUAM).Methods290 women with MRKH syndrome were clinically evaluated with using clinical examinations, abdominal and perineal/rectal ultrasound, MRI, and laparoscopy.ResultsClassification of female genital malformation according to the Vagina Cervix Uterus Adnex – associated Malformation classification system was possible in 284 women (97.9%). Complete atresia of Vagina (V5b) and bilateral atresia of Cervix (C2b) were found in 284 patients (100%). Uterus: bilateral rudimentary or a plastic uterine horns were found in 239 women (84.2%). Adnexa: normal Adnexa were found in 248 women (87.3%). Malformations: associated malformations were found in 126 of 282 evaluable women (44.7%), 84 women (29.6%) had malformations of the renal system. Of 284 women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome 212 women (74.7%) could be classified as V5bC2bU4bA0. The most frequent classification was V5bC2bU4bA0M0 (46.8%) diagnosed in 133 of 284 women.ConclusionsComplete atresia of vagina and cervix were found in all patients, variable malformations were found with uterus and adnexa. A variety of associated malformations were present, predominantly of the renal system. It is therefore recommended that all patients with genital malformations should be evaluated for renal abnormalities.

Treatment of Congenital Malformations

The prevalence of müllerian malformations is 1 in 200, or 0.5%. A third of the anomalies are septate, a third bicornuate uteri, 10% arcuate uterus, 10% didelphis and unicornuate uterus, and < 5% uterine and vaginal aplasia. Correct diagnosis of the malformation is most important but often very difficult. Correct treatment can only be performed if the malformation is clear. Longitudinal vaginal septums have to be removed due to potential obstetric problems. Transverse vaginal septums can cause hematocolpos and pain and have to be incised crosswise and excised so as not to shorten the vagina at the same time. Congenital vaginal agenesis occurs in Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome patients and in androgen insensitivity syndrome. The first choice for surgical treatment should be the new laparoscopic-assisted creation of a neovagina. Septate uterus has to be distinguished from a bicornuate uterus. Even if it is not proven to be a cause for infertility, the chance of miscarriage can be diminished by performing hysteroscopic metroplasty. Repair of a uterine septum in infertility patients often improves pregnancy rates. In contrast, surgical repair of a bicornuate uterus requires an abdominal metroplasty. This should only be performed if the patient has recurrent fetal loss due to the uterine structural defect. In a unicornuate uterus it is most important to determine if there is a second uterine horn that can cause cyclic pain if it has functioning endometrium. The only surgical option in these cases is to remove the rudimentary uterus with endometrium and hematometra, respectively.

A combination of transcriptome and methylation analyses reveals embryologically-relevant candidate genes in MRKH patients

BackgroundThe Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is present in at least 1 out of 4,500 female live births and is the second most common cause for primary amenorrhea. It is characterized by vaginal and uterine aplasia in an XX individual with normal secondary characteristics. It has long been considered a sporadic anomaly, but familial clustering occurs. Several candidate genes have been studied although no single factor has yet been identified. Cases of discordant monozygotic twins suggest that the involvement of epigenetic factors is more likely.MethodsDifferences in gene expression and methylation patterns of uterine tissue between eight MRKH patients and eight controls were identified using whole-genome microarray analyses. Results obtained by expression and methylation arrays were confirmed by qRT-PCR and pyrosequencing.ResultsWe delineated 293 differentially expressed and 194 differentially methylated genes of which nine overlap in both groups. These nine genes are mainly embryologically relevant for the development of the female genital tract.ConclusionOur study used, for the first time, a combined whole-genome expression and methylation approach to reveal the etiology of the MRKH syndrome. The findings suggest that either deficient estrogen receptors or the ectopic expression of certain HOXA genes might lead to abnormal development of the female reproductive tract. In utero exposure to endocrine disruptors or abnormally high maternal hormone levels might cause ectopic expression or anterior transformation of HOXA genes. It is, however, also possible that different factors influence the anti-Mullerian hormone promoter activity during embryological development causing regression of the Müllerian ducts. Thus, our data stimulate new research directions to decipher the pathogenic basis of MRKH syndrome.

Head-to-Head Comparison of the RNA-Based Aptima Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Assay and the DNA-Based Hybrid Capture 2 HPV Test in a Routine Screening Population of Women Aged 30 to 60 Years in Germany

ABSTRACT Testing for E6/E7 mRNA in cells infected with high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) might improve the specificity of HPV testing for the identification of cervical precancerous lesions. Here we compared the RNA-based Aptima HPV (AHPV) assay (Hologic) and the DNA-based Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2) HPV test (Qiagen) to liquid-based cytology (LBC) for women undergoing routine cervical screening. A total of 10,040 women, 30 to 60 years of age, were invited to participate in the study, 9,451 of whom were included in the analysis. Specimens were tested centrally by LBC, the AHPV test, and the HC2 test, and women who tested positive on any test were referred for colposcopy. Genotyping was performed on all HR-HPV-positive samples. Test characteristics were calculated based on histological review. As a result, we identified 90 women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2+ (CIN2+), including 43 women with CIN3+. Sensitivity differences between the AHPV test and the HC2 test in detecting CIN2+ (P = 0.180) or CIN3+ (P = 0.0625) lesions were statistically nonsignificant. Of three CIN3 cases that were missed with the AHPV test, two cases presented lesion-free cones and one had a non-HR HPV67 infection. The specificity (<CIN2) and positive predictive value (CIN2+) of the AHPV test were significantly higher (both P < 0.001) than those of the HC2 test. The overall agreement between the tests was substantial (κ = 0.77). Finally, we present results for several possible triage strategies, based on the primary screening test being either the AHPV test or the HC2 test. In summary, the AHPV assay is both specific and sensitive for the detection of high-grade precancerous lesions and may be used in primary cervical cancer screening for women ≥30 years of age.

Typical and Atypical Associated Findings in a Group of 346 Patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuester-Hauser Syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVE The Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuester-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is characterized by vaginal and uterine aplasia in a 46,XX individual. Multiple abnormalities may be associated with MRKH syndrome, and it appears to overlap other syndromes. The aim of this study was to describe the spectrum of associated malformations and syndromes as well as abnormal karyotypic findings in a large cohort of 346 patients. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The study is a retrospective analysis of 346 MRKH patients treated in the University Hospital in Tuebingen between 1998 and 2013. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The dataset was screened for typical associated malformations as well as atypical malformations and abnormal karyotypes. A complete review of the literature was included. RESULTS Among our cohort of 346 patients, we found that 53.2% had MRKH type 1, 41.3% had MRKH type 2, and 5.5% had MURCS syndrome. The group with associated malformations included 57.6% renal, 44.4% skeletal, and 30.8% other malformations. Additionally, we found 2 cases of absent radius syndrome, 3 cases of anal atresia, and 1 patient with oculodentodigital dysplasia, and other atypical malformations. Abnormal karyotypes were found in 5 cases, and 39 siblings and 11 parents had known malformations. CONCLUSIONS This study supports the hypothesis that the syndrome has a multifactorial pathogenesis. With the high numbers of associated malformations reported in this study, patients with MRKH syndrome should be regarded as having a complex syndrome. Molecular-genetic analyses in larger numbers of children after surrogacy, twin pregnancies, and familial cases may make it possible to obtain further information about the etiology of the syndrome.

Laparoscopically Assisted Neovaginoplasty in Vaginal Agenesis: A Long-Term Outcome Study in 240 Patients

STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term outcome of an optimized minimally invasive neovaginoplasty technique in vaginal agenesis. DESIGN Combined retrospective and prospective study. SETTING University hospital. PARTICIPANTS 240 patients with congenital vaginal agenesis. INTERVENTIONS Patients with an indication for neovagina creation underwent laparoscopically assisted neovaginoplasty involving vaginoabdominal blunt perforation and intracorporeal traction using tension threads and an abdominally positioned extracorporeal traction device. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Long-term anatomic success, functional success compared with similar-aged controls, long-term complications, and incidence of human papilloma virus (HPV) infections. RESULTS During median follow-up for 16 (range 11-141) months, mean functional neovaginal length remained stable at 9.5 cm in all patients, including those who had no sexual intercourse and had stopped wearing the vaginal dummy. Median dummy wearing time was 8.6 months. Time to epithelialization depended on the time of onset and frequency of sexual intercourse. At long-term follow-up, median total Female Sexual Function Index score was 30.0, comparable with similar-aged controls. No common long-term complications occurred. Four patients required cauterization of granulation tissue. 7/240 (2.9%) patients were HPV-positive with low- to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 3 patients reverting to HPV-negative status at long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Our technique creates a neovagina of adequate size and secretory capacity for normal coitus, requiring no prolonged dilation postoperatively, even in the absence of sexual intercourse. The procedure is fast, effective and minimally traumatic, has a very low long-term complication rate and provides very satisfactory long-term functional results.

Gender Role, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in CAIS (“XY-Women”) Compared With Subfertile and Infertile 46,XX Women

The perception of gender development of individuals with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) as unambiguously female has recently been challenged in both qualitative data and case reports of male gender identity. The aim of the mixed-method study presented was to examine the self-perception of CAIS individuals regarding different aspects of gender and to identify commonalities and differences in comparison with subfertile and infertile XX-chromosomal women with diagnoses of Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study sample comprised 11 participants with CAIS, 49 with MRKHS, and 55 with PCOS. Gender identity was assessed by means of a multidimensional instrument, which showed significant differences between the CAIS group and the XX-chromosomal women. Other-than-female gender roles and neither-female-nor-male sexes/genders were reported only by individuals with CAIS. The percentage with a not exclusively androphile sexual orientation was unexceptionally high in the CAIS group compared to the prevalence in “normative” women and the clinical groups. The findings support the assumption made by Meyer-Bahlburg (2010) that gender outcome in people with CAIS is more variable than generally stated. Parents and professionals should thus be open to courses of gender development other than typically female in individuals with CAIS.

Laparoscopic Nerve-Preserving Colposacropexy for Surgical Management of Neovaginal Prolapse

BACKGROUND Neovaginal prolapse occurs rarely, and a standard treatment has not yet been defined. CASE We report 2 cases of patients with vaginal agenesis with a symptomatic neovaginal prolapse; one occurring 25 years after self-dilation and another occurring 24 years after sigmoid vaginoplasty. At 48 and 18 months after surgical treatment with laparoscopic nerve-preserving colposacropexy using 2 types of mesh and 2 kinds of sutures to anchor the mesh at the neovaginal wall, both women are asymptomatic and highly satisfied with the result, without prolapse recurrence or mesh/suture erosion. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION For the surgical management of neovaginal prolapse after sigmoid vaginoplasty and vagina creation after self-dilation, we recommend the nerve-preserving sacrocolpopexy as a safe method to achieve durable functional outcomes and good anatomic vaginal level I and II support.

Fragebogen zum Erleben der eigenen Weiblichkeit (FB-W): Ergebnisse von Frauen mit Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrom und Frauen mit polyzystischem Ovarsyndrom

Women with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome (MRKHS) or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) experience substantial changes in female body characteristics. It was investigated how this is associated with changes concerning the experience of ones own femininity. A questionnaire was developed to measure the experience of ones own femininity. The question-naire assesses how important several aspects are to women for their experience of their own femininity. Data from 49 women with MRKHS and 55 women with PCOS were compared to a non-clinical sample (932 women). The experience of their own femininity differed between the clinical groups as well as in comparison to the control sample. Diagnosis-specific characteristics emerged, which should be considered in the treatment of affected women. The developed questionnaire proved to be suitable for measuring differences in the experience of ones own femininity between groups of gynecological -patients.

Hyperandrogenemia and high prolactin in congenital utero–vaginal aplasia patients

Patients with the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) have a congenital utero-vaginal cervical aplasia, but normal or hypoplastic adnexa and develop with normal female phenotype. Some reports mostly demonstrated regular steroid hormone levels in small MRKH cohorts including single MRKH patients with hyperandrogenemia and a clinical presentationof hirsutism and acne has also been shown. Genetically a correlation of WNT4 mutations with singular MRKH patients and hyperandrogenemia was noted. This study analyzed the hormone status of 215 MRKH patients by determining the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, 17-OH progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and prolactin to determine the incidence of hyperandrogenemia and hyperprolactinemia in MRKH patients. Additional calculations and a ratio of free androgen index and biologically active testosterone revealed a hyperandrogenemia rate of 48.3%, hyperprolactinemia of 9.8% and combined hyperandrogenemia and hyperprolactinemia of 4.2% in MRKH patients. The rates of hirsutism, acne and especially polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were in the normal range of the population and showed no correlation with hyperandrogenemia. A weekly hormone assessment over 30 days comparing 5 controls and 7 MRKH patients revealed high androgen and prolactin, but lower LH/FSH and SHBG levels with MRKH patients. The sequencing of WNT4, WNT5A, WNT7A and WNT9B demonstrated no significant mutations correlating with hyperandrogenemia. Taken together, this study shows that over 52% of MRKH patients have hyperandrogenemia without clinical presentation and 14% hyperprolactinemia, which appeals for general hormone assessment and adjustments of MRKH patients.