Which of these is a notable factor in the modern elongation of adolescence compared to previous eras?

Case report

Table of Contents

  • Introduction
  • Case Presentation
  • Conclusions
  • Author Information
  • Article Information
  • Figures etc.
  • What might explain why adolescence has been elongated?
  • What is a primary factor influencing the onset of puberty in adolescents quizlet?
  • What are some factors that influence emotional changes throughout adolescence quizlet?
  • Which of the following factors is most important in determining the onset of puberty?

peer-reviewed



Published: April 15, 2022 (see history)

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.24168

Cite this article as: Rani V, Pipal D K (April 15, 2022) Extremely Elongated Cervix in an Adolescent Girl: Literature Review and Report of a Rare Case. Cureus 14(4): e24168. doi:10.7759/cureus.24168


Abstract

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) is defined as the descent of one or more of the pelvic organs from their normal position. This is commonly associated with multiparity, postmenopausal status, and obesity. Most of the cases present as uterine descent with or without cystocele, rectocele, or enterocele. But, the descent of pelvic organs in adolescent and young, nulliparous women is an uncommon presentation. 

We report a case of a 19-year-old girl with extreme elongation of the cervix without uterine descent. Uterus size was normal, no adnexal abnormality was there. The patient was apprehensive about her future fertility and pregnancy outcome.

This is a rare case as it has not been reported in the preceding three decades of literature searches and poses a challenge in management decisions because we must consider future fertility while restoring normal anatomy. 

Introduction

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), which is common in the elderly, has a 40% prevalence in women over the age of 45, with 11-20% requiring surgical intervention, and has a poor quality of life [1]. The normal length of an adult non-pregnant cervix is about 2.5 cm to 3.0 cm. Isolated cervical descent with a normally positioned uterus is found in the case of true cervical elongation, which is a form of congenital elongation of the cervix and is a rare presentation in adolescence and young women.

The incidence of juvenile nulliparous uterine prolapse due to inherent congenital weakness of pelvic support is reported to be 1.5-2% [2,3]. The incidence of nulliparous prolapse in India is about 1.5-2% and 5-8% in young parous women [4]. In the pediatric and adolescent age group, this condition is found to be associated with congenital spinal defects, such as meningocele and myelomeningocele, bladder exstrophy, malnutrition, chronic lung disease, and heavy manual labour [5].

Cervical elongation is defined as the presence of cervical length >3.38 cm or cervix to corpus ratio > 0.79 [6]. Ibeanu and colleagues clinically defined cervical elongation as a C-to-D distance ≥ 8 cm [7]. Two possible mechanisms for this condition could be either inherently longer cervix or downward traction due to developing uterine prolapse causing cervical elongation [8,9].

Uterus-sparing surgery such as the Manchester-Fothergill procedure (MFP) and the Sling procedure using a minimally invasive approach are preferred for reproductive-age POP patients and offer the potential for preserving fertility.

Case Presentation

A 19-year-old adolescent girl presented in the Gynaecology OPD with a complaint of something coming per vaginum for the last six months, with the size of protruded mass increasing during defecation. There was no history of sexual contact, lifting heavy weights, chronic cough or constipation. She attained menarche at the age of 13 years and her menses were regular, cyclical with average flow and duration. There was no associated urinary complaint.

On examination, third-degree cervical descent was noted (Figure-1), cervix was hypertrophied and elongated, firm in consistency and cervical length was approximately 6 cm, and all the fornices were felt. The uterus size was found to be normal.

MRI pelvis showed an elongated cervix with a length measuring 5.9 cm, bulging into the vagina inferiorly. The uterus was of normal size and in a normal position, and no abnormality in the adnexa was noted (Figure 2).

Discussion

A cervical length of more than 33.8 mm is defined as cervical elongation and its pathophysiology is not yet clearly understood [5]. A review of 90 cases of elongation of the cervix presented 11 cases of congenital elongation of the cervix between the ages of 16-25 years, all patients had complained of something coming out per vaginum, and four had difficulty during coitus. All patients were treated by amputation of the cervix, four out of 11 treated patients conceived and had normal pregnancy outcomes [10]. 

Old age, multiparity, congenital weakness of pelvic floor muscles, prolonged labour, instrumental vaginal deliveries, birth trauma, chronic cough, genetic factor, smoking, prior surgery, collagen disorders including myopathies are a few well-known aetiological factors of POP [9].

Conservative management with ring pessary insertion may be considered if surgery is not possible or the pessary is ineffective in cases of uterocervical descent. There is no gold standard surgery to correct POP due to variable combinations of presentation. Different uterus preserving techniques using slings such as sacral cervicopexy or transvaginal sacrospinal fixation provide excellent repair and the possibility of childbearing [11]. 

A uterus-preserving technique, the Manchester-Fothergill procedure (MFP), is being performed for more than a century. There are several advantages of MFP including preservation of pelvic integrity, minimal blood loss so lesser hospital stay and morbidity, and also less recurrence rate [1]. Uterine preservation has a positive impact on women’s life including sexuality, body image, and self-esteem [1].

In sling procedures, Indian gynaecologists had contributed to developing conservative surgical treatment options with preservation of reproductive functions such as Shirodkar’s Sling and vaginal prolapse operation, Purandare’s Cervicopexy including its modified cervicopexy, Khanna’s Sling operation, Soonawala’s Sling operation and Nadkarni’s Sleeve Excision Anastomosis for cervical elongation [4]. Modified Gilliam-Doleris hysteropexy is a technique useful in juvenile nulliparous POP patients [3].

A systematic review described no difference in outcome among various sling procedures and vaginal hysterectomy [1]. With the exception of the MPF, uterine preservation is supported by lesser hospital stay [1,12]. The fertility rate following the MFP drops by 21-33% [13].

A case series studied causes of primary infertility in 3520 patients, 17 patients had extra-long vaginal cervix measuring 4.0 cm or more. Twelve out of 17 patients were treated by amputation of the cervix and 9 (75%) had successful pregnancy within 18 months while the rest five patients remained infertile and were not operated [14]. 

Manchester-Fothergill procedure is considered the fertility-sparing surgery in young women with extra-long cervix but the true incidence of successful pregnancy after the procedure is not known, probably due to the rarity of the condition. In our case, we had planned the Manchester-Fothergill procedure, but the patient is too young and apprehensive, so after having a detailed discussion, the patient and her family have decided to postpone any intervention till she marries.

Conclusions

Congenital cervical elongation without uterine descent is an uncommon finding in an unmarried, nulliparous woman presenting as third-degree cervical descent, which creates apprehension for the patient and presents challenges for the Gynaecologist in deciding on the suitable uterine preserving surgeries. There should be a detailed discussion on future fertility issues and pregnancy outcomes before opting for the operative procedure in such patients. 


References

  1. Marquini GV, de Jarmy di Bella ZI, Sartori MG: The Manchester-Fothergill technique: browsing in the cutting-edge art gallery. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2022, 156:10-6. 10.1002/ijgo.13706
  2. Virkud A: Conservative operations in genital prolapse. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2016, 66:144-8. 10.1007/s13224-016-0909-8
  3. Kai K, Kai Y, Nishida M, Nasu K, Iwanaga S, Narahara H: Modified Gilliam-Doleris hysteropexy for juvenile uterovaginal prolapse. Clin Experiment Obstet Gynecol. 201810, 45:109-111.
  4. Ryan GA, Purandare NC, Ganeriwal SA, Purandare CN: Conservative management of pelvic organ prolapse: Indian contribution. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2021, 71:3-10. 10.1007/s13224-020-01406-5
  5. Skiadas CC, Goldstein DP, Laufer MR: The Manchester-Fothergill procedure as a fertility sparing alternative for pelvic organ prolapse in young women. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2006, 19:89-93. 10.1016/j.jpag.2006.01.004
  6. Berger MB, Ramanah R, Guire KE, DeLancey JO: Is cervical elongation associated with pelvic organ prolapse?. Int Urogynecol J. 2012, 23:1095-103. 10.1007/s00192-012-1747-6
  7. Ibeanu OA, Chesson RR, Sandquist D, Perez J, Santiago K, Nolan TE: Hypertrophic cervical elongation: clinical and histological correlations. Int Urogynecol J. 2010, 21:995-1000. 10.1007/s00192-010-1131-3
  8. Campeau L, Gorbachinsky I, Badlani GH, Andersson KE: Pelvic floor disorders: linking genetic risk factors to biochemical changes. BJU Int. 2011, 108:1240-7. 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2011.10385.x
  9. Schaffer JI, Wai CY, Boreham MK: Etiology of pelvic organ prolapse. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2005, 48:639-47. 10.1097/01.grf.0000170428.45819.4e
  10. Masani KM: Elongation of cervix (review of 90 cases). J Obstet Gynaec India . 1952, June:293-7.
  11. Loret de Mola JR, Carpenter SE: Management of genital prolapse in neonates and young women. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 1996, 51:253-60. 10.1097/00006254-199604000-00022
  12. Detollenaere RJ, den Boon J, Vierhout ME, van Eijndhoven HW: Uterussparende chirurgie versus vaginale hysterectomie als be-handeling van descensus uteri [Uterus preserving surgery versus vaginal hysterectomy in treatment of uterine descent: a systematic review]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2011, 155:A3623.
  13. Fisher J: The effect of amputation of the cervix uteri upon subsequent parturition: a preliminary report of seven cases. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1951, 62:644-48. 10.1016/0002-9378(51)91165-9
  14. Ikedife D: Treatment of primary infertility attributed to a long vaginal cervix. J Obstet and Gynaecol. 1991, 11:61-2.

Case report

peer-reviewed

Extremely Elongated Cervix in an Adolescent Girl: Literature Review and Report of a Rare Case


Dharmendra K. Pipal

General, Colorectal, and Minimal Access Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Gorakhpur, Gorakhpur, IND


Ethics Statement and Conflict of Interest Disclosures

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.


Article Information

DOI

10.7759/cureus.24168

Cite this article as:

Rani V, Pipal D K (April 15, 2022) Extremely Elongated Cervix in an Adolescent Girl: Literature Review and Report of a Rare Case. Cureus 14(4): e24168. doi:10.7759/cureus.24168

Publication history

Peer review began: April 08, 2022
Peer review concluded: April 15, 2022
Published: April 15, 2022

Copyright

© Copyright 2022
Rani et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License CC-BY 4.0., which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

License

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Case report

peer-reviewed

Extremely Elongated Cervix in an Adolescent Girl: Literature Review and Report of a Rare Case


Figures etc.

What might explain why adolescence has been elongated?

what might explain why adolescence has been elongated? the increased importance of formal education in making a successful transition into adult roles.

What is a primary factor influencing the onset of puberty in adolescents quizlet?

What factors influence the growth patterns that affect the onset of puberty? Heredity, climate, nutrition, gender, and socioeconomic status.

What are some factors that influence emotional changes throughout adolescence quizlet?

Some of the factors that influence emotional changes during adolescence include, among others, changes in self-perception, changes in the way teens are treated, increased sensitivity to criticism, increased desire for independence, and an increased need to belong.

Which of the following factors is most important in determining the onset of puberty?

Which of the following factors is most important in determining the onset of puberty? Whether the individual is healthy enough to begin reproduction.

What might explain why adolescence has been elongated?

what might explain why adolescence has been elongated? the increased importance of formal education in making a successful transition into adult roles.

What is a primary factor influencing the onset of puberty in adolescents quizlet?

Genetics is one of the primary influences on the age at which puberty occurs. Intelligence, type of birth, and weight at birth do not affect the onset of puberty in adolescents.

Which of the following factors is most important in determining the onset of puberty?

Which of the following factors is most important in determining the onset of puberty? Whether the individual is healthy enough to begin reproduction.

Which developmental period has been proposed between adolescence and adulthood quizlet?

-Emerging adulthood is the time of transition from adolescence to adulthood and is characterized by experimentation and exploration. -Peak physical performance is often reached between 19 and 26 years of age.