Imperforate hymen presenting as chronic low back pain

Pediatrics. 2013 Sep;132(3):e768-70. doi: 10.1542/peds.2012-1040. Epub 2013 Aug 19.

Abstract

Imperforate hymen in an adolescent usually presents with cyclic abdominal pain or with pelvic mass associated with primary amenorrhea. We present a 13-year-old girl with chronic lower back pain of 6 months' duration as the only complaint. On physical examination, multiple trigger points were detected in the quadratus lumborum and gluteus medius muscles bilaterally. Abdominal ultrasound revealed hematometrocolpos secondary to an imperforate hymen. Hymenectomy was performed, with complete resolution of the back pain. Myofascial pain syndrome with a viscerosomatic reflex is a possible explanation for the clinical presentation of our patient.

Keywords: imperforated hymen; low back pain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Congenital Abnormalities
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Hematometra / complications*
  • Hematometra / diagnosis*
  • Hematometra / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hymen / abnormalities
  • Hymen / surgery
  • Low Back Pain / etiology*
  • Menstruation Disturbances / complications*
  • Menstruation Disturbances / diagnosis*
  • Menstruation Disturbances / surgery
  • Myofascial Pain Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Ultrasonography

Supplementary concepts

  • Hymen, Imperforate