Rare variant of unicornuate uterus with functional uterine horn and ipsilateral renal agenesis: a case report
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: A unicornuate uterus is a rare congenital malformation of the Mullerian duct caused by incomplete development of one duct, often associated with obstructive complications and renal anomalies.
Case presentation: A 12-year-old girl reported progressive left-sided lower abdominal pain and cyclical dysmenorrhea unresponsive to analgesics. Ultrasonography revealed hematometra, hematocolpos, and an absent left kidney. While MRI indicated a bicornuate uterus with hematometra, hematosalpinx, and a possible left endometriotic cyst, vaginoscopy showed a single right-sided cervix, ruling out hematocolpos. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed a right unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating functional left uterine horn, along with a left hematosalpinx and an endometriotic cyst. Surgical removal of the rudimentary horn, hematosalpinx, and endometriotic cyst was performed. The patient recovered well with relief of pain in subsequent menstrual cycles.
Conclusion: Early Ultrasound and MRI may facilitate the diagnosis, but laparoscopy provides definitive evaluation and management of such a rare congenital anomaly while preserving long-term reproductive health.
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Dixit R, Duggireddy CS, Pradhan GS. Mullerian anomalies: revisiting imaging and classification. Insights Imaging. 2025;16:40. doi:10.1186/s13244-024-01879-2
Obeidat RA, Aleshawi AJ, Tashtush NA, Alsarawi H. Unicornuate uterus with a rudimentary non-communicating cavitary horn in association with VACTERL association: case report. BMC Womens Health. 2019;19:71. doi:10.1186/s12905-019-0768-4 PubMed PMID: 31146728; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6543654.
Passos I de MP e, Britto RL. Diagnosis and treatment of müllerian malformations. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2020;59:183–8. doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2020.01.003
Jalil RAA, Alsada AI. Unicornuate uterus with a functional non-communicating horn in adolescent. BMJ Case Rep CP. 2021;14:e242874. doi:10.1136/bcr-2021-242874 PubMed PMID: 34446512.
Amjad N, Jamal A, Ghaffar S, Hassan SMS, Habib M, Khan A, et al. Adolescent Presentation of Unicornuate Uterus With Non-Communicating Rudimentary Horn: A Rare Cause of Severe Dysmenorrhea. Clin Case Rep. 2025;13:e70442. doi:10.1002/ccr3.70442
Ludwin A, Lindheim SR. Unicornuate uterus and the noncommunicating functional horn: continued debate on the diagnosis, classification, and treatment. Fertil Steril. 2020;113:772–3. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.01.006 PubMed PMID: 32147179.
Al Hakeem M, Siddiq MM, Al Nuaim L, Gourab S. Unicornuate uterus with a non-communicating functioning rudimentary horn, associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis. Ann Saudi Med. 2004;24:48–9. doi:10.5144/0256-4947.2004.48 PubMed PMID: 15310017; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6147813.
Shukunami K, Tsunezawa W, Kotsuji F. Unicornuate uterus with a noncommunicating cavitary, laterally dislocated rudimentary horn presenting with adenomyosis, associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2000;264:88–9. doi:10.1007/s004049900045
Phupong V, Tresukosol D, Taneepanichskul S, Somprasit C, Krewruedee S, Virutamasen P. Double Uterus with Unilateral Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Agenesis. Thai J Obstet Gynaecol. 2000;303–6.
Pongsuk Pinchun, Somkiat Prepasirisulee. Uterus Didelphys with Unilateral Obstructed Hemivagina and Renal Agenesis on the Same Side : A Case Report | Thai Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Vol. 5. 1993;5:103–6.
Dahal P, Tamang OY, Upadhyaya RP, Dawadi K, Pradhan P, Parajuli S. Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome in a young female presenting with dysmenorrhea: A case report. Radiol Case Rep. 2023;19:82–8. doi:10.1016/j.radcr.2023.09.030 PubMed PMID: 37920694; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10618621.
Mariani L, Mancarella M, Cirillo S, Biglia N. Unicornuate uterus associated with retrosigmoid ovary and unilateral renal agenesis: a case report and a review of the literature. Ego J. 2021;072 – 075.
Moawad G, Zizolfi B, Borrelli D, D’Angelo G, Nardelli F, Guerra S, et al. A combined endoscopic and ultrasonographic approach to a complex U4a uterine anomaly. Facts Views Vis ObGyn. 2025;17:204–7. doi:10.52054/FVVO.2025.13
Bhagavath B, Behrman E, Salari BW, Vitek W, Barhan S, Yaklic JL, et al. Metroplasty to treat chronic pelvic pain resulting from outflow tract müllerian anomalies. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2015;213:871.e1-3. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2015.09.007 PubMed PMID: 26363477.
Falcone T, Gidwani G, Paraiso M, Beverly C, Goldberg J. Anatomical variation in the rudimentary horns of a unicornuate uterus: implications for laparoscopic surgery. Hum Reprod Oxf Engl. 1997;12:263–5. doi:10.1093/humrep/12.2.263 PubMed PMID: 9070707.