A cesarean scar defect (CSD), is also known as a "deficient uterine scar" or "scar dehiscence" following a Cesarean delivery. A CSD involves the myometrial defect at the site of a previous Cesarean delivery scar.
The incidence of cesarean section scar defect reportedly ranges
between 1 in 20 to 1 in 2 women with prior cesarean delivery. The wide variation exists because there are few if any clear criteria for making the diagnosis.
Complaints associated with CSD after a previous Cesarean delivery have been reported to be associated with several complaints such as
- abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting,
- prolonged postmenstrual spotting
- chronic pelvic pain.
- intermenstrual spotting
- dysmenorrhea (pain during a menstrual period)
- dyspareunia (pain during intercourse)
Among the methods for detecting CSD are:
- TVUS (transvaginal ultrasonography)
- SIS (saline infusion hysterography)
These tests are the simplest and most useful. MRI has been shown to be the most definitive modality to evaluate the uterus in women with prior cesarean delivery and these complaints.