Familial Imperforate Hymen in an Adolescent Presenting with Acute Urinary Retention and Haematocolpometrosalpinx

Abstract

Background:  Imperforate hymen rarely presents as a familial disorder while most of the patients with the anomaly are asymptomatic until the menstrum above the imperforate hymen results in mechanical effect. An uncommon presentation of imperforate hymen is acute urinary retention in young girls. Case presentation: We report a case of acute urinary retention due to massive hematocolpometrosalpinx in a 12-year-old girl whose elder sister had surgery for imperforate hymen in the past. She presented with a progressively increasing perineal bulge and acute urinary retention of one month and seven hours respectively. Ultrasound revealed hematocolpometrosalpinx and the retention was rapidly relieved with size 10 Foley catheter. She subsequently had hymenectomy and drainage of the accumulated menstrum. She did well and was discharged three days later. Conclusion: Familial occurrence of imperforate hymen is uncommon more so presenting as acute urinary retention. Enlightenment of parents on imperforate hymen may prevent complication in later life.