A CASE REPORT OF PREMENARCHIAL TRANSVERSE VAGINAL SEPTUM AT THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL, IBADAN


O. Oloyede1 and G.O. Obajimi2

  1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Mother and Child Hospital, Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
  2. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Hospital, Ibadan.

Abstract

Premenarchial Transverse vaginal septum is a benign condition. The septum may be found in the upper, middle or lower vagina. A case report of a premenarchial girl with transverse vaginal septum managed at the university college hospital, Ibadan, in January 2009. Diagnosis was made following a history of primary amenorrhea, cyclical low abdominal pain and pelvic examination which revealed a vaginal septum. She had surgical resection of the vaginal septum and a vaginal stent was left in-situ to keep the vagina patent during the healing process. The procedure was uneventful and she was able to achieve menstrual flow following surgery. Follow up visits were essentially unremarkable.

Keywords: Premenarchial, Transverse vaginal septum

Correspondence:

Dr. G.O. Obajimi
Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
University College Hospital,
Ibadan
Email: gbolee@yahoo.com

Introduction

The incidence of vaginal atresia has been estimated to be 1 in 400,000 female children.1 The vagina is derived from interaction between the uterovaginal primordium and the pelvic part of the urogenital sinus.2 The causes of vaginal anomalies are difficult to discern because of the controversial subject of the integration of the uterovaginal primordium and the urogenital sinus in the normal differentiation of the

Anomalies of the vagina may be obvious at birth or present following menarche as cryptomenorrhoea, dyspareunia or labor dystocia. Rarely at birth may an imperforate hymen cause a mucocolpos which is due to retained vaginal and uterine secretions. They may present with an abdominal mass with bulging hymen at birth. In the post menarcheal period an imperforate hymen would lead to cryptomenorrhoea.2

Histology of most transverse vaginal septum reveals both surfaces to be lined by stratified squamous epithelium. This supports the theory that the mullerian epithelium is replaced by a permanent epithelium. This cord of stratified epithelium invaginates into the primordial vagina. A failure of the process leaves behind vestigial shreds, causing these vaginal septa to appear at different levels of the vagina.

There are different views as to the origin of this epithelium; endoderm of the urogenital sinus, mesoderm of the wolffian ducts or ectoderm of the cloacal membrane. These views may partially explain the variety of epithelia lining the septa.3 Also classification of the causes of these anomalies would include potential moderating factors of endocrine and genetic origins. There are those associated with the inter-sex state and the maternal use of Thalidomide and stilbesterol. Abnormalities specific to the vagina include failure of canalization with a resultant partial or complete agenesis, transverse or longitudinal septa and persistence of the urogenital membrane resulting in an imperforate hymen.1,3

Congenital transverse vaginal band or partial vaginal atresia would also present with cyclical monthly pelvic or rectal pain with no bleeding per vagina. With continued retention of menstrum, there would be palpable pelvic masses which could be a haematocolpos, haematometrium or haematosalpinx. Patients with complete vaginal agenesis would present with absence of an opening between the urethra and rectum.