Asherman's syndrome

Asherman syndrome
Other namesIntrauterine adhesions (IUA) or Intrauterine synechiae
Ultrasound view.
SpecialtyGynaecology Edit this on Wikidata
Named after

Asherman's syndrome (AS) is an acquired uterine condition that occurs when scar tissue (adhesions) forms inside the uterus and/or the cervix.[1] It is characterized by variable scarring inside the uterine cavity, where in many cases the front and back walls of the uterus stick to one another. AS can be the cause of menstrual disturbances, infertility, and placental abnormalities. Although the first case of intrauterine adhesion was published in 1894 by Heinrich Fritsch, it was only after 54 years that a full description of Asherman syndrome was carried out by Joseph Asherman.[2] A number of other terms have been used to describe the condition and related conditions including: uterine/cervical atresia, traumatic uterine atrophy, sclerotic endometrium, and endometrial sclerosis.[3]

There is not any one cause of AS. Risk factors can include myomectomy, cesarean section, infections, age, genital tuberculosis, and obesity. Genetic predisposition to AS is being investigated. There are also studies that show that a severe pelvic infection, independent of surgery may cause AS.[4] AS can develop even if the woman has not had any uterine surgeries, trauma, or pregnancies. While rare in North America and European countries, genital tuberculosis is a cause of Asherman's in other countries such as India.[5]

  1. ^ Smikle C, Yarrarapu SC, Khetarpal S (2018). "Asherman Syndrome". StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 28846336.
  2. ^ Conforti A, Alviggi C, Mollo A, De Placido G, Magos A (December 2013). "The management of Asherman syndrome: a review of literature". Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 11: 118. doi:10.1186/1477-7827-11-118. PMC 3880005. PMID 24373209.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Palter was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Asherman syndrome". MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  5. ^ Sharma JB, Roy KK, Pushparaj M, Gupta N, Jain SK, Malhotra N, Mittal S (January 2008). "Genital tuberculosis: an important cause of Asherman's syndrome in India". Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 277 (1): 37–41. doi:10.1007/s00404-007-0419-0. PMID 17653564. S2CID 23594142.