Uterine incarceration in a primigravid retroverted bicornuate uterus

Abstract

Uterine incarceration is a rare complication that usually occurs after the first trimester of pregnancy. It leads to increased maternal and/or fetal morbidity and mortality. Risk factors include retroversion of uterus and other pelvic abnormalities. Clinical presentation includes severe abdominal and pelvic pain symptoms. Patients can present with concurrent urinary symptoms due to increasing distortion of adjacent structures from the enlarging uterus. A high clinical suspicion of uterine incarceration is confirmed with ultrasound. More advanced imaging such as MRI can be used as an adjunct to ultrasound imaging. Progression from expectant management to intervention is recommended as soon as possible to prevent complications such as uterine rupture and fetal demise. In subsequent pregnancies, close monitoring with serial ultrasounds is warranted to monitor for recurrence of incarceration which has been reported in a few rare cases.