Elsevier

Urology

Volume 78, Issue 1, July 2011, Pages 180-182
Urology

Pediatric Case Report
Recurrent Urinary Retention Due to Imperforate Hymen After Hymenotomy Failure: A Rare Case Report and Review of the Literature

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2010.10.022Get rights and content

Acute urinary retention (AUR) is unusual in children. We report for the first time a case of recurrent urinary retention due to massive hematocolpos resulting from an imperforate hymen in a 14-year-old girl. In case of AUR in adolescent girls, clinicians should keep in mind that imperforate hymen may be a causative factor and this condition may easily be treated surgically, but follow-up is still necessary to ensure that there is no recurrence.

Section snippets

Case

In September 2009, a 14-year-old girl was admitted to the pediatric emergency department with a 12-hour history of acute urinary retention, accompanied by dysuria and severe lower abdominal pain. There was no history of nausea, vomiting, altered bowel habits, or fever. She had not been taking any medications recently, including antihistamines and anticholinergic drugs. The patient had not yet started her menses.

On physical examination, her vital signs were normal. Secondary sexual

Comment

The hymen is a balance sheet of mesoderm that is perforated normally during the later stages of embryonic development.3 Imperforate hymen is usually an isolated anomaly, although associated malformations, especially those of the genitourinary tract, have been reported. Most cases reported in the literature are sporadic; however, some familial cases have been described as presumptive of probable genetic predisposition.3

During the neonatal period, imperforate hymen may present with fetal ascites

Conclusion

Although hematocolpos associated with imperforate hymen and urinary retention is uncommon, it should be included in the differential diagnosis in adolescent females with acute abdominal pain and urinary retention. Inspection of the external genitalia, along with catheterization and detailed history-taking, with emphasis on menstruation, can aid in preventing misdiagnosis and commencing with additional radiological diagnostic examinations and appropriate surgical treatment. Moreover,

References (15)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (0)

View full text