A case of female epispadias.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of unrecognized female epispadias. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: University-based reproductive endocrinology and fertility clinic. PATIENT(S): A 16-year-old girl with epispadias, history of mild urinary incontinence, auditory neuropathy, and functional hyperandrogenism. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Peripheral blood array-based comparative genomic hybridization. RESULT(S): The patient was referred for evaluation of excessive weight gain, secondary amenorrhea, and abnormal external genitalia. Examination under anesthesia revealed bilateral labia minora hypertrophy, bifid clitoris, and a patulous urethra, consistent with female epispadias. Hormonal evaluation showed functional hyperandrogenism, and peripheral blood array-based comparative genomic hybridization showed no chromosomal deletions or duplications. CONCLUSION(S): Female epispadias is a rare abnormality, not commonly recognized by most practitioners. The diagnosis is supported by a history of urinary incontinence and physical findings of bifid clitoris and patulous urethra. The condition can have serious physical and psychological consequences leading to a gross disruption of social function.

Duke Scholars

Author Thomas Michael Price Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology & Infe ...