Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome: A Mini-review

Article information

Child Kidney Dis. 2018;22(1):12-16
Publication date (electronic) : 2018 April 27
doi : https://doi.org/10.3339/jkspn.2018.22.1.12
Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Chungnam National University Children’s Hospital, Daejeon, Korea
Corresponding author: Jiwon M. Lee, M.D., Ph.D. Department of Pediatrics, Chungnam National University Children’s Hospital 282 Munwha-Ro, Jung-gu, Daejeon 35015, Korea Tel: +82-42-282-7152 Fax: +82-42-255-3158 E-mail: jwmleemd@gmail.com
Received 2017 September 4; Revised 2018 January 19; Accepted 2018 March 16.

Abstract

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich (HWW) syndrome is a rare congenital malformation syndrome that is characterized by a triad of uterine didelphys, blind hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis. There is a wide variety of phenotypic presentation which is recognized as a spectrum of disease rather than a separate entity. The exact incidence and pathogenesis of HWW syndrome are yet to be investigated. While this disease typically involves adolescent girls who present with abdominal pain or a pelvic mass that is secondary to hematocolpos, nowadays, a majority of potential patients with HWW are being prenatally screened for renal anomalies. Therefore, it is recommended to search for uterovaginal anomalies whenever a multicystic dysplastic kidney or the absence of a kidney is noted in a newborn female, and the role of pediatric nephrologists has become ever more important for early recognition of the disease.

Introduction

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich (HWW) syndrome is a combined anomaly syndrome with uterine didelphys, blind hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis [1,2]. It is sometimes also referred to as obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome [3]. It was firstly reported in 1925 by Wilson [4], and decades later Herlyn [5], Werner [5], and Wunderlich [6] have elaborated on its clinical presentation. Although the exact incidence of HWW syndrome is not known, it is expected that a patient with double uterus has a renal agenesis in 63–81% of the cases and an obstructed hemivagina in 6% [7]. The etiology of müllerian anomalies, including HWW syndrome is controversial and yet to be investigated [8].

Owing to the recent development in diagnostics, patients with a single kidney are being prenatally screened which consequently brought forward the age at diagnosis of HWW syndrome earlier than ever. In spite of such an advance in diagnostic technology, however, the significant heterogeneity of its clinical manifestation seems to hinder prompt recognition. Understanding the heterogeneous presentation of this syndrome is important also in that the clinical presentation and complications may differ between the variants. Since, nowadays, a majority of potential HWW patients firstly visit a pediatric clinic for prenatally detected renal anomalies, the role of pediatric nephrologists has become increasingly important for early recognition and proper diagnosis.

Clinical presentation and diagnosis

1. The classic triad and the variants

The classic triad of HWW syndrome includes uterine didelphys, obstructed hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis [1,2]. Recently, however, anatomic variants have been introduced. Although HWW is characterized by a complete obstruction of the hemivagina, a body of literature reported that the vaginal septum may have a fenestration and thus the obstruction may be either partial or complete. In a case series by Fedele et al [9], about 18% (16/87) of HWW patients had an incomplete septum in which the obstructed hemivagina was partially communicant with the contralateral counterpart. Moreover, in cases where the vaginal septum is very thin, the pressure from retained menstrual products over time can result in a spontaneous perforation, leading to communication between the two vaginas [7]. The presence of fenestration as such can delay the diagnosis because fully distended hematocolpos and its related symptoms may be absent on initial examination [7]. Uterine anomalies such as didelphys, bicornuate, septate uteri are considered to be on the same spectrum of disease, depending on how ‘caudally’ the müllerian ductal fusion occurs [10]. A likewise variation should be understood for vaginal anomalies. In addition, the uterine cervix may also have anatomical variation. Cervical atresias [9] and double cervix with hemicervial obstruction with rudimentary hemiuterus may present like a single vagina [11]. Moreover, although ipsilateral renal agenesis on the obstructed hemivaginal side is the most commonly accompanied renal anomaly, other renal anomalies, including dysplastic, multicystic, and/or ectopic kidney are reported as variant forms [3,12]. Furthermore complete agenesis and severe ectopic dysplasia of unilateral kidney are usually not easy to discern since the dysplastic kidney may involute or atrophy over time.

2. Clinical presentation

In the classic presentation with natural history, dysmenorrhea with recurrent progressive lower abdominal pain after menarche is most commonly seen and often the earliest appearing symptom [3]. Patients are usually asymptomatic until menarche [13,14], and the symptom presents over time, due to entrapment of menstrual contents within the obstructed hemivagina [3]. It is reported that most patients are diagnosed from 2 months to 1 year after menarche [1,14,15]. In the presence of a menstrual outflow obstruction, hematometra, hematosalpinx, and endometriosis may be accompanied as the main reasons for cyclic pelvic pain and metromenorrhagia [16]. It is usually the degree of vaginal anomaly that defines the symptom and relates to the age at initial presentation. Patients with complete hemivaginal obstruction may visit the clinic earlier due to symptoms from hematocolpos, compared to patients with incomplete obstruction. It has been reported that HWW syndrome can present as early as the neonatal period [14] depending on anatomy and cervical development.

In the nonclassic presentation, patients may initially present with a solitary kidney or a multicystic dysplastic kidney on prenatal ultrasonography (USG).

Previous studies have reported right side predominance of the affected laterality, with a ratio of 2:1 [8,16-18].

3. Mode of diagnosis

The mainstay of diagnosing HWW is radiologic findings. If there is typical hematocolpos, ultrasonography (USG) often shows a hypoechogenic mass between the bladder and the rectum [14]. Although several reports have suggested that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and laparoscopy could aid in the accurate diagnosis [19-21], careful gynecological examination and USG may result in correct and timely diagnosis in the great majority of cases [11]. However, the presence of hematocolpos frequently distorts the anatomy and makes the diagnosis on USG quite challenging in which cases MRI is recommended [7]. MRI is also advocated as a useful tool to discern renal variants with dysplasia and/or ectopia, incomplete vaginal duplication and uterine anomalies with variations in which discrete images are required. Even in such cases, given the high accuracy of MRI, laparoscopic exams or HSG are reserved for very limited cases [3].

Nowadays, renal agenesis or multicystic dysplasia is usually a prenatal or neonatal diagnosis. It is therefore advisable for female newborns with renal malformations - a multicystic dysplastic kidney or the absence of a kidney to be looked for genital anomaly. However, the small size and tubular shape of the uterus in infancy makes it extremely challenging to evaluate the uterine anomaly [1]. It is therefore recommended that asymptomatic neonatal patients with renal malformations receive follow-up USG examination for potential uterovaginal anomaly until the end of puberty [1].

Complications

1. Gynecologic

When the vaginal septum is thin, it is easy to have a spontaneous fenestration and the partial hemivaginal obstruction with communication may present with metrorrhagia or chronic vaginal discharge due to delayed menstural passage from the partially obstructed side [7]. Moreover, the presence of perforation may allow ascending migration of pathogenic bacteria, leading to infection of the hematocolpos and even pelvic inflammation [22].

When the vaginal septum is thick, the thick septum limits the ability of the hemivagina to distend distally [7] which consequently can cause retrograde bleeding into the peritoneal space, leading to endometriosis [1,7,23]. Endometriosis has been reported with rates of 17%–35% among women with uterus didelphys [24,25] and 23% in patients with HWW or OHVIRA [2,3,22,23]. Literature reports that if decompression is timely performed, endometriosis could be prevented [7,16].

2. Renal/urologic

As well as renal anomalies ipsilateral to the vaginal obstruction, the reported prevalence rate of contralateral renal anomalies, such as dysplastic or polycystic kidney is up to 50% [22]. In addition, ipsilateral anomalies of the urinary system such as, ectopic or duplicated ureters have been reported [3,26]. There are reports of an ectopic ureter with insertion into the obstructed hemivagina [27,28], which should be suspected when the patient complains of persistent urine leakage or incontinence [28].

Since the hyperfiltration hypothesis implies that children with solitary functioning kidney are at risk to develop hypertension, proteinuria and chronic kidney disease [29], the follow-up of these patients must avoid factors that may aggravate existing congenital renal damage. Accompanied urologic anomalies can cause recurrent urinary tract infections which may aggravate the renal function. Consultation with urology is highly recommended for any renal anomaly [7]. Regular monitoring for renal function and proteinuria as a marker of glomerular damage is recommended, especially during the peri-pubertal period where the impairment of renal function may exacerbate due to rapid somatic growth.

3. Infertility

Since the ovarian function is theoretically preserved, it is considered that primary infertility among women with HWW syndrome may be caused by factors such as endometriosis and pelvic abscesses rather than the anatomical anomaly itself [16]. Although the exact statistics with regard to infertility in HWW patients is not available, it has been reported that women with uterine didelphys have comparable reproductive performance as that of women with a unicornuate uterus [30]. However, if proper management was not timely provided, complications leading to endometriosis, pyosalpinx or pyocolpos, and subsequent pelvic adhesions may present with infertility or miscarriage [14,22,31,32]. Early diagnosis and timely decompression of vaginal obstruction could avoid complication and preserve reproductive capacity [14,15].

Treatment

Currently, the preferred surgical approach for patients with HWW syndrome is resection of the vaginal septum [7,14]. The resection is usually not an emergency, except for rare cases complicated with infection [7]. To date, the curative procedure is recommended to be performed around the pubertal period given the lack of long-term data regarding excision of vaginal septum in the prepubertal age [7]. In cases complicated by cervical atresias or other structural anomalies, the surgery may be postponed even after the puberty and it such cases, gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs may be a good option for maintaining amenorrhea and reducing complications [16]. Laparoscopic surgery is indicated for patients with complications such as endometriosis or abscess [16]. Overall, timely performed surgical removal of the obstructing vaginal septum can provide rapid relief of symptoms, prevention of complications, and preservation of fertility in majority of the cases.

Conclusion

Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome should be suspected in cases with cyclic pelvic pain and also in neonatal cases with any renal malformations. Understanding its broad spectrum of phenotypic presentation may aid screening out the over-looked population. The patients need to be searched for urologic, gynecologic problems and regularly monitored for renal function. Prompt diagnosis based on clinical suspicion and timely intervention is essential for prevention of potential complications.

Notes

Conflict of interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

References

1. Orazi C, Lucchetti MC, Schingo PM, Marchetti P, Ferro F. Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome: uterus didelphys, blind hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis. Sonographic and MR findings in 11 cases. Pediatr Radiol 2007;37:657–65.
2. Candiani GB, Fedele L, Candiani M. Double uterus, blind hemivagina, and ipsilateral renal agenesis: 36 cases and long-term follow-up. Obstet Gynecol 1997;90:26–3.
3. Smith NA, Laufer MR. Obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome: management and follow-up. Fertil Steril 2007;87:918–22.
4. George Wilson J. A case of double uterus and vagina with unilateral hematocolpos and hematometra. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Emp 1925;32:127–8.
5. Herlyn U, Werner H. Simultaneous occurrence of an open Gartnerduct cyst, a homolateral aplasia of the kidney and a double uterus as a typical syndrome of abnormalities. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 1971;31:340–7.
6. Wunderlich M. Unusual form of genital malformation with aplasia of the right kidney. Zentralbl Gynakol 1976;98:559–62.
7. Santos XM, Dietrich JE. Obstructed Hemivagina with Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly. J Pediatr Adol Gynec 2016;29:7–10.
8. Vercellini P, Daguati R, Somigliana E, Vigano P, Lanzani A, Fedele L. Asymmetric lateral distribution of obstructed hemivagina and renal agenesis in women with uterus didelphys: institutional case series and a systematic literature review. Fertil Steril 2007;87:719–24.
9. Fedele L, Motta F, Frontino G, Restelli E, Bianchi S. Double uterus with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis: pelvic anatomic variants in 87 cases. Hum Reprod 2013;28:1580–3.
10. The American Fertility Society classifications of adnexal adhesions, distal tubal occlusion, tubal occlusion secondary to tubal ligation, tubal pregnancies, mullerian anomalies and intrauterine adhesions. Fertil Steril 1988;49:944–55.
11. Wang S, Lang JH, Zhu L, Zhou HM. Duplicated uterus and hemivaginal or hemicervical atresia with ipsilateral renal agenesis: an institutional clinical series of 52 cases. Eur J Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Biol 2013;170:507–11.
12. Hall-Craggs MA, Kirkham A, Creighton SM. Renal and urological abnormalities occurring with Mullerian anomalies. J Pediatr Urol 2013;9:27–32.
13. Angthong W, Visetsripong M, Amornvithayachan O, Varavithya V. Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome emphasizes ultrasonographic and MR findings: a case report and review of the literatures. J Med Assoc Thai 2012;95 Suppl 12:S129–33.
14. Wu TH, Wu TT, Ng YY, et al. Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome consisting of uterine didelphys, obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis in a newborn. Pediatr Neonatol 2012;53:68–71.
15. Gholoum S, Puligandla PS, Hui T, Su W, Quiros E, Laberge JM. Management and outcome of patients with combined vaginal septum, bifid uterus, and ipsilateral renal agenesis (Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome). J Pediatr Surg 2006;41:987–92.
16. Tong J, Zhu L, Lang J. Clinical characteristics of 70 patients with Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2013;121:173–5.
17. Coskun A, Okur N, Ozdemir O, Kiran G, Arykan DC. Uterus didelphys with an obstructed unilateral vagina by a transverse vaginal septum associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis, duplication of inferior vena cava, high-riding aortic bifurcation, and intestinal malrotation: a case report. Fertil Steril 2008;90:2006 e9–11.
18. Pieroni C, Rosenfeld DL, Mokrzycki ML. Uterus didelphys with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis. A case report. J Reprod Med 2001;46:133–6.
19. Sardanelli F, Renzetti P, Oddone M, Toma P. Uterus didelphys with blind hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis: MR findings before and after vaginal septum resection. Eur J Radiol 1995;19:164–70.
20. Tanaka YO, Kurosaki Y, Kobayashi T, et al. Uterus didelphys associated with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis: MR findings in seven cases. Abdom Imaging 1998;23:437–41.
21. Hoeffel C, Olivier M, Scheffler C, Chelle C, Hoeffel JC. Uterus didelphys, obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal agenesis. Eur J Radiol 1997;25:246–8.
22. Zurawin RK, Dietrich JE, Heard MJ, Edwards CL. Didelphic uterus and obstructed hemivagina with renal agenesis: case report and review of the literature. J Pediatr Adol Gynecol 2004;17:137–41.
23. Guducu N, Gonenc G, Isci H, Yigiter AB, Dunder I. Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome--timely diagnosis is important to preserve fertility. J Pediatr Adol Gynecol 2012;25:e111–2.
24. Fedele L, Bianchi S, Di Nola G, Franchi D, Candiani GB. Endometriosis and nonobstructive mullerian anomalies. Obstet Gynecol 1992;79:515–7.
25. Ugur M, Turan C, Mungan T, et al. Endometriosis in association with mullerian anomalies. Gynecol Obstet Inves 1995;40:261–4.
26. Acien P, Susarte F, Romero J, et al. Complex genital malformation: ectopic ureter ending in a supposed mesonephric duct in a woman with renal agenesis and ipsilateral blind hemivagina. Eur J Obstet Gynaecol Reprod Biol 2004;117(1):105–8.
27. Capito C, Echaieb A, Lortat-Jacob S, Thibaud E, Sarnacki S, Nihoul-Fekete C. Pitfalls in the diagnosis and management of obstructive uterovaginal duplication: a series of 32 cases. Pediatrics 2008;122:e891–7.
28. Wang ZJ, Daldrup-Link H, Coakley FV, Yeh BM. Ectopic ureter associated with uterine didelphys and obstructed hemivagina: preoperative diagnosis by MRI. Pediatr Radiol 2010;40:358–60.
29. Westland R, Kurvers RA, van Wijk JA, Schreuder MF. Risk factors for renal injury in children with a solitary functioning kidney. Pediatrics 2013;131:e478–85.
30. Acien P. Reproductive performance of women with uterine malformations. Hum Reprod 1993;8:122–6.
31. Haddad B, Barranger E, Paniel BJ. Blind hemivagina: long-term follow-up and reproductive performance in 42 cases. Hum Reprod 1999;14:1962–4.
32. Olive DL, Henderson DY. Endometriosis and mullerian anomalies. Obstetr Gynecol 1987;69:412–5.

Article information Continued