Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Association Between Cesarean Scar Defect Morphology and Gynecologic Symptoms: A Two-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Document Type : Original Article (s)

Authors
1 Clinical Research Development Unit, Firoozabadi Hospital, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
10.48305/jims.2026.46747.3229
Abstract
Background: Cesarean scar defect (CSD), also known as isthmocele or uterine niche, may be associated with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), postmenstrual spotting, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia. However, the relationship between sonographic CSD morphology and gynecologic symptoms remains inconsistent. This study evaluated the association between CSD dimensions and gynecologic symptoms in women undergoing transvaginal ultrasonography.
Methods: This two-center cross-sectional analytical study included women with confirmed CSD referred to Firoozabadi and Akbarabadi Hospitals, Tehran, Iran, from March 2025 to March 2026. CSD length, CSD depth, residual myometrial thickness (RMT), and adjacent myometrial thickness were measured by transvaginal ultrasonography. Symptoms, including irregular menstruation, postmenstrual spotting/AUB, severe AUB, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia, were recorded as binary outcomes. Statistical comparisons were performed using appropriate parametric or nonparametric tests, with P <0.05 considered statistically significant.Results: Among 207 women included in the final analysis, the mean age was 33.1±5.2 years. Mean CSD length, CSD depth, and RMT were 4.30±1.26 mm, 5.93±2.23 mm, and 4.38±2.04 mm, respectively. Postmenstrual spotting/AUB was reported in 78 women (37.7%), irregular menstruation in 71 (34.3%), severe AUB in 41 (19.8%), dysmenorrhea in 41 (19.8%), and dyspareunia in 35 (16.9%). RMT was significantly

Highlights

Hasanali Kheybari: Google Scholar

Farahnaz Farzaneh: Google Scholar

 Ensieh Farhidzadeh : Google Scholar

Zeinab Safarpour lima: Google Scholar

Ayda Roostaee: Google Scholar

Keywords
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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 09 September 2026

  • Receive Date 01 August 2026
  • Accept Date 17 August 2026