Value of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of sex-reassignment surgery in male-to-female transsexuals*

Abstract

Background: We investigated the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of sex-reassignment surgery in male-to-female transsexual patients.

Methods: Ten male-to-female transsexual patients who underwent sex-reassignment surgery with inversion of combined penile and scrotal skin flaps for vaginoplasty were examined after surgery with MRI. Turbo spin-echo T2-weighted and spin-echo T1-weighted images were obtained in sagittal, coronal, and axial planes with a 1.5-T superconductive magnet. Images were acquired with and without an inflatable silicon vaginal tutor. The following parameters were evaluated: neovaginal depth, neovaginal inclination in the sagittal plane, presence of remnants of the corpus spongiosum and corpora cavernosa, and thickness of the rectovaginal septum.

Results: The average neovaginal depth was 7.9 cm (range = 5–10 cm). The neovagina had a correct oblique inclination in the sagittal plane in four patients, no inclination in five, and an incorrect inclination in one. In seven patients, MRI showed remnants of the corpora cavernosa and/or of the corpus spongiosum; in three patients, no remnants were detected. The average thickness of the rectovaginal septum was 4 mm (range = 3–6 mm).

Conclusion: MRI allows a detailed assessment of the pelvic anatomy after genital reconfiguration and provides information that can help the surgeon to adopt the most correct surgical approach.