Magnetic Resonance Evaluation of Müllerian Remnants in Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser Syndrome

Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH) is a congenital Müllerian anomaly that affects 1 in 4000 females, ranking as the second most frequent cause of primary amenorrhea (1-5). The main characteristics of the syndrome are as follows: 1) absence or reduced development of the uterus and upper two-thirds of the vagina, 2) normal external genitalia, 3) functional ovaries, and, 4) normal karyotype for females (46, XX) (1-5). The syndrome is categorized into two types (Type I and II), depending on the presence of associated nongynecologic anomalies affecting the urinary tract, middle ear, and skeletal system (Klippel-Feil syndrome) (1-3, 5).

Affected individuals coping with the syndrome often seek gynecologic surgeons, as the syndrome has a significant influence on both the physical and psychosocial health of the women. The ultimate goal of the surgery is restoration of normal sexual function, while even reproduction may be possible if assisted techniques are performed (1, 5).

Prior to surgery, thorough evaluation of the exact anatomy is crucial for the best surgical outcome (6). Current imaging modalities widely used in clinical practice include laparoscopy and ultrasonography (USG) (2, 3). However, both methods have drawbacks in that laparoscopy is invasive while USG, although noninvasive, is often inconclusive (2, 3).

Despite many strengths of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in soft tissue imaging, descriptive MRI findings of Müllerian remnants in MRKH syndrome have not been sufficiently evaluated in the previous literature, although there have been a few case reports on leiomyomas developed in uterine buds (1, 2, 7-12).

The purpose of our study was to analyze MRI findings of Müllerian remnants in young women clinically suspected of MRKH syndrome in primary amenorrhea workup.

Principal findings of the present study can be summarized as follows: 1) Typical Müllerian remnants in MRKH syndrome consisted of three structural components, bilateral uterine buds, fibrous band-like structures, and midline triangular soft tissue, and 2) Bilateral uterine buds were connected by the fibrous band-like structures, which converged at the midline triangular soft tissue lying above the bladder dome (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3
Schematic drawings of typical Müllerian remnants.

A. Fibrous band-like structures connecting bilateral uterine buds converge at midline triangular soft tissue. Cavitation may be present in uterine buds (shown as triangular area within left bud). Ovaries abutting uterine buds are also shown. B. Sagittal T2-weighted images shows triangular soft tissue lying above bladder dome. Soft tissue is continuous with vagina showing atrophy in upper two-thirds.

• Click for larger image

Earlier studies of MRKH syndrome including MRI findings comprised mostly case reports on leiomyomas developed in uterine buds. Jadoul et al. (10) reported a case of a large symptomatic myoma in one uterine bud, which was subsequently removed by laparoscopy. Similar reports on symptomatic uterine bud myomas which necessitated surgical intervention also followed (11, 12). In all of the studies, however, imaging based anatomical evaluation was not conducted extensively.

Only recently has MRI begun to be exploited as a noninvasive alternative for diagnostic laparoscopy in MRKH syndrome, despite its advantages in soft tissue imaging (3, 13). To evaluate the potential of MRI as the main preoperative diagnostic imaging modality in place of laparoscopy, Pompili et al. (3) assessed accuracy of MRI findings with respect to diagnostic laparoscopy as the gold standard. The authors performed descriptive analysis on 1) developmental status of the vaginal canal, Müllerian remnants, and ovaries, 2) ascites, and 3) renal anomalies. Their results revealed strong concordance between the MRI and laparoscopic findings, suggesting MRI as a powerful tool in diagnosis and anatomical evaluation of MRKH syndrome (3).

In contrast to the study by Pompili et al. (3), we analyzed anatomical anomalies in MRKH syndrome with a focus on MR findings of its Müllerian remnants. In most cases, bilateral uterine buds showed symmetry, except for one case with one of its uterine buds resembling a deformed unicornuate uterus due to prominent cavitation. The presence of cavitation was evident on MRI, allowing for differentiation of cavitated from non-cavitated ones with high conspicuity. Most importantly, we found that the presence of fibrous bands-like structures connecting bilateral uterine buds was another consistent imaging feature observed in MRKH syndrome. In the majority (87%) of our cases, the fibrous band-like structures converged at the midline or paramedian triangular soft tissue lying above the bladder dome. Both the fibrous band-like structures and triangular soft tissue were speculated to be also part of the Müllerian remnants and the variation in T2 signal intensity of the soft tissue could be attributable to varying degrees of the uterine aplasia. To the best of our knowledge, the presence of the fibrous band-like structures and triangular soft tissue has not yet been widely appreciated in the previous literature. There has been one case report by Lamarca et al. (2), which confirmed the presence of a midline fibrous band joining bilateral uterine buds on laparotomy.

As for the vagina, the lower one-third of the vagina was found in 93% of our cases, reflecting the difference in embryonic origins of the lower one-third of the vagina and other genital tracts including the uterus, cervix, and upper two-thirds of the vagina (7, 14). Moreover, even the lower vagina of budlike appearance, which may not be easily recognized at laparoscopy, could be clearly delineated on MRI.

Our study also demonstrated that MRI is advantageous in evaluation of the presence, location, and associated mass in the ovaries. The majority (93%) of our cases had normally developed bilateral ovaries, as expected from the difference in embryonic origins of the ovaries and uterus (7, 14). These results are in accordance with those of the previous studies (2, 3, 7-12, 15).

Additionally, MRI was shown to be effective in delineating associated renal and vertebral anomalies. Renal anomalies are known to be one of the common associated non-gynecologic anomalies in Type II MRKH syndrome, with their spectrum varying from renal ectopia (pelvic kidney) to agenesis (1, 3). One case of unilateral renal agenesis and one case of unilateral pelvic kidney were found in our study. Among the vertebral anomalies frequently associated with type II MRKH syndrome (1, 7), three cases (20%) of lumbar sacralization and one case (7%) of mild scoliosis were noted in our study. According to the previous literature, the renal and vertebral anomalies are known to occur only in type II MRKH syndrome, which is characterized by asymmetry of the uterine buds, ovarian anomalies, as well as other non-gynecologic anomalies involving cardiac and otologic systems (1, 7). In contrast to the findings of the previous literature, size asymmetry in the uterine buds or presence of ovarian anomalies was not evident in our cases.

Apart from the intrinsic limits of any retrospective study, a few other limitations of our study should be mentioned. First, the sample size was rather small to generalize our findings and thus further investigation including a larger population would be warranted. Second, all our cases lacked pathologic confirmation, as they did not have indications (such as endometriosis or myomas) for laparoscopic or surgical removal of the remnants. Third, MRIs of different units (1.5T and 3.0T) were used in the qualitative MR image analysis as the difference in magnetic field strength was speculated to have a minimal effect on delineating the anatomy; however, differences in signal to noise ratio and contrast resolution caused by the varying magnetic field strength might have slightly influenced our interpretations. Fourth, inclusion of one female patient who was first diagnosed as MRKH syndrome at the age of 51 caused minor inhomogeneity in the study population.

Despite these limitations, our results demonstrated the potential of using MRI as an alternative to diagnostic laparoscopy in depiction of the characteristic anatomical features of MRKH syndrome. Furthermore, MRI was shown to be capable of providing the anatomical information that could serve as a guide for the optimal surgical planning. For instance, cavitation within the uterine buds, whose presence has been associated with the cyclic pelvic pain prompting the surgical removal, was easily recognized on MRI with high conspicuity (3, 6). In addition, the presence of the lower one-third of the vagina on MRI, in conjunction with supporting gynecologic exam findings, could raise the possibility of neovaginal creation as a surgical option (3).

In conclusion, characteristic MRI findings of Müllerian remnants - non-visualization of a normal uterus and upper two-thirds of the vagina, along with the presence of bilateral uterine buds connected by the fibrous band-like structures, which converged at the midline triangular soft tissue lying above the bladder dome - may facilitate clinical diagnosis of MRKH syndrome and surgical planning.