Unicornuate Uterus

Often banana shaped, a unicornuate uterus has a single horn, during fetal growth only one fallopian tube is developed. However, some women with unicornuate uteruses have traces of a second fallopian tube, which can be solid or can have a cavity with a functioning endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus). More often than not, the smaller horn of a unicornuate uterus remains isolated and non-communicating.

A unicornuate uterus is the least common uterine malformation. Due to the shape of a unicornuate uterus, blood flow and the placement of the placenta become compromised, and this presents the risk of abrupt or spontaneous miscarriage. Another risk to a pregnant woman with a unicornuate uterus is premature birth or breech birth, as there is insufficient space for the baby to grow.

Unfortunately, there is no way to increase the size of a uterus, so there are no surgical procedures to correct this condition. Pregnancy in the unresponsive arm of a unicornuate uterus is another risk and should be treated as an emergency, since it is essentially the same as an ectopic pregnancy and may need to be removed.

It is difficult to diagnose a unicornuate uterus with just an ultrasound. An MRI or a 3D sonograph and laparoscopy will be needed to determine the proper diagnosis. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, make sure to contact your doctor.