TY - JOUR
AR - SCR-2018-3-120
TI - Hematocolpos secondary to imperforate hymen presenting with acute abdominal pain and misdiagnosed as appendicitis
AU - Partha , Sengupta
AU - Rebecca , Lovell
AU - Shilpi , Mittal
JO - Surgical Case Reports
PY - 2018
DA - Tue 18, Dec 2018
SN - 2613-5965
DO - http://dx.doi.org/10.31487/j.SCR.2018.03.020
UR - https://www.sciencerepository.org/hematocolpossecondary-to-imperforate-hymen-presenting-with-acute-abdominal-pain-and-misdiagnosed-as-appendicitis_SCR-3-120 
KW - Imperforate hymen, Hematocolpos, Adolescent, emergencies
AB - Imperforate hymen is a rare congenital malformation that usually presents in adolescence with primary
amenorrhoea and pain or pressure-related symptoms from haematocolpos. We present the case of an 11-
year-old girl who presented as a surgical emergency with acute abdominal pain. A laparoscopy was
performed for suspected appendicitis, but she was subsequently found to have a haematocolpos secondary
to imperforate hymen. This case illustrates the challenges in making the diagnosis. The literature contains
numerous cases where the diagnosis has been delayed, and we discuss those that also presented as possible
appendicitis. These cases highlight the importance of awareness of the condition amongst general surgeons
and emergency physicians, and the role of external genital examination and ultrasonography prior to surgical
intervention.