A Rare Presentation of Imperforate Hymen : A Case Report

Abstract EN

Introduction.

Acute urinary retention in a child is rare.

Haematocolpos can cause a mechanical obstruction, resulting in acute urinary retention.

Case Report.

A 12-year-old girl presented to the surgical department with a one-day history of acute urinary retention and suprapubic tenderness.

She had not started menses but had described period-like pains every month for the past six months.

On examination, she had a palpable bladder with over 500 mls of residual urine and a bluish-grey bulge posterior to her urethral meatus.

An US scan showed a large mass posterior to her bladder resembling a haematocolpos, and this was confirmed with an MRI scan.

She was catheterised and eventually underwent a hymenectomy using a cruciate incision.

She made a good recovery postoperatively.

Conclusion.

In the case of a peripubertal female presenting with acute urinary retention, haematocolpos should be considered as a diagnosis.