A case of female epispadias

Objective: To present a case of unrecognized female epispadias. Design: Case report. Setting: University-based reproductive endocrinology and fertility clinic. Patient(s): A 16-year-old girl with epispadias, history of mild urinary incontinence, auditory neuropathy, and functional hyperandrogenism. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Peripheral blood array-based comparative genomic hybridization. Result(s): The patient was referred for evaluation of excessive weight gain, secondary amenorrhea, and abnormal external genitalia. Examination under anesthesia revealed bilateral labia minora hypertrophy, bifid clitoris, and a patulous urethra, consistent with female epispadias. Hormonal evaluation showed functional hyperandrogenism, and peripheral blood array-based comparative genomic hybridization showed no chromosomal deletions or duplications. Conclusion(s): Female epispadias is a rare abnormality, not commonly recognized by most practitioners. The diagnosis is supported by a history of urinary incontinence and physical findings of bifid clitoris and patulous urethra. The condition can have serious physical and psychological consequences leading to a gross disruption of social function. (Fertil Steril (R) 2008;90:2017.e1-e3. (C) 2008 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)