wrong diagnosis! (long)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I saw the chairman of the radiology department this morning to

discuss my MRI. He had diagnosed BU last month, but since the MRI

report was very vague, and my RE could not answer my questions nor

show me the fundal indent, and my history of early m/c was suspicious

I decided to persist in my quest for a definitive diagnosis...

Thanks to this incredible board and you wonderful ladies, I knew all

the questions to ask. I think the radiologist was a little surprised

at the depth of my knowledge and the specific questions; he seemed a

little uncomfortable. But he did point out the cross section MRI

showing the 2 uterine horns and a COMPLETELY FLAT uterine contour.

Not even a hint of an indent. He said the term bicornuate is often

used anytime they see 2 uterine cavities and he referred to it as

an " incidental finding " . Um excuse me, but after 3 mc's I tend to

disagree that this is incidental! I said " So you are definitely

saying that the top of my uterus is flat, with no indentation? " He

said " Yes, definitely flat, no indentation, which means bicornuate.

Oh sorry, I mean septate! " Unbelievable.

I called my RE and discussed the findings with her - she was

flabbergasted. At this point I am hestitant to go through the septum

resection here, since my confidence in their experience is definitely

shaken. I spoke to the RE for quite a while about the surgical

procedure. This is the protocol she described: She said they would do

a lap/hyst, and use the light of the lap to guide them. They use a

scissors to cut. They do insert a ballon catheter (she referred to it

as a pediatric foley?) afterwards for 1 week, or when it falls out.

They use high dose estrogen for 1 month following surgery to minimize

scar tissue and ensure a good uterine lining. No hormones pre-op, no

protocol for scheduling the surgery during a particular time in my

cycle. The only thing that sounded unusual to me was that they use

glycerine to distend the uterus - I haven't heard this before. They

do not use CO2. She said the glycerine lets them see better, the only

risk is that if the procedure goes on for too long too much can be

absorbed and can cause electrolyte problems. She said they would stop

the procedure if more than 1000ccs was absorbed. Also, she said they

do not do a routine HSG afterwards. (I think I would insist on that.)

She also said that up to 10% of cases require 2 surgeries, so I

should not consider it a failure if the first surgery does not

correct the problem.

So my only concern/decision now is do I trust this doctor to do the

resection? I am in Northern Vermont, and my options are very limited

unless I travel to Boston, which I would rather not do. The RE kept

stressing that this was a very straightforward procedure, not

difficult or complicated. But they only do about 1/month here. So I

am grappling with the decision. They are scheduling for September

now, so I think I might get on the surgical schedule, then continue

to think about it. Any opinions on this one?

Thanks!

Ronna

newly diagnosed SU (previously diagnosed BU)