Clinical case of pubic symphysis diastasis in a pregnant woman with atypical clinical features

Abstract

This article presents a clinical case of pubic symphysis diastasis in a pregnant woman with atypical clinical features. From 24 weeks of gestation, the patient noticed an intermittent low back aching pain radiated to posterior surface of the right thigh. The pain was regarded as a manifestation of lumbar osteochondrosis, and the patient did not receive specific treatment. At 39-40 weeks of pregnancy, the woman complained of severe pain in the left iliac region that appeared while lying on the left side or turning in bed. The differential diagnosis included acute abdomen and pubic symphysis diastasis. During diagnostic research, clinical features of acute abdomen were not found. The diagnostic tests such as tenderness palpation of pubic symphysis, P4 test, Patrick’s test, modified Trendelenburg’s test, and Mennell’s test were positive. Accor­ding to ultrasound, the width of the pubic symphysis was 8.9 mm, with a 2 mm deviation of pubic ramus relative to the sagittal plane, ill-defined margin and inhomogeneous structure of the symphysis due to hypoechogenic inclusions with a total area of about 50%. Thus, the patient was diagnosed with pubic symphysis diastasis of the 2^nd degree. Given the severe pain syndrome and a high risk of pubic symphysis fracture during labor, this case required surgical delivery. The postoperative period elapsed without complication.

Keywords

pubic symphysis diastasis / pubic symphysis dysfunction / symphysopathy / pregnancy / caesarian section

References

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RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Mochalova M.N., Mudrov V.A., Alexeyeva A.Y.