Spontaneous Complete Uterine Rupture in a Nonlaboring, Early Third-trimester Uterus: Missed Diagnosis by Ultrasound

Abstract

Objective: Describe potential consequences and remedy for not intermittently auscultating fetal heart tones during travel to the imaging department and misdiagnosing a ruptured uterus on ultrasound as a synechiae. Study Design: Retrospective chart review of case. Results: Spontaneous uterine rupture in pregnancy is a rare and catastrophic event. Fetal monitoring is an important component for diagnosis, but fetal heart auscultation is usually discontinued while the patient is receiving imaging. We present a ruptured uterus at 28 weeks with delayed diagnosis secondary to interrupted fetal heart tone auscultation and a misdiagnosis of a rupture as a synechiae resulting in a seriously compromised newborn at delivery. Conclusion: Intermittent fetal heart tone auscultation is a possible method of monitoring when the patient is off continuous fetal monitoring. Copyright © 2013 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.