The Diagnostic Value of High-Resolution 3D T2-Weighted MRI in Preoperative Evaluation and Classification of Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich Syndrome: A Prospective Study
Author Block: Y. Qi, Y. Zhang, X. Gao, P. Zhang, Y. He, S. Wang, H. Xue, L. Zhu; Beijing/CN
Purpose: HWWS is a rare triad of didelphys uterus, oblique vaginal septum and ipsilateral renal agenesis. Accurate preoperative diagnosis and classification are crucial for surgical planning, This study aims to investigate the diagnostic value of high-resolution three-dimensional T2-weighted MRI in the preoperative evaluation and classification of HWWS.
Methods or Background: The study prospectively enrolled 70 patients clinically diagnosed with HWWS between 2020 and 2024. All patients underwent pelvic MRI examinations, including high-resolution 3D T2WI (1 mm slice thickness) and conventional T2 TSE sequences, supplemented by large-FOV T2 coronal imaging for urinary system evaluation and full-spine X-ray examinations for skeletal assessment. Two radiologists blinded to clinical data recorded uterine morphology, obstruction level and communications, and related complications. Consistency analysis was performed between imaging findings and surgical results in 52 surgical patients.
Results or Findings: The results showed the following uterine morphological classifications: didelphys uterus (54 cases, 77.1%), complete septate uterus (14 cases, 20%), and bicornuate uterus (2 cases, 2.9%). Among surgical patients, 31 cases had vaginal-level obstruction (18 Type I, 11 Type II, and 2 Type III), while 21 cases had cervical-level obstruction (19 Type IV and 2 special Type III+IV). 3D-T2 detected 7/11 vaginal-septum fistulas that TSE missed; both sequences showed 2 cervical communications. Associated anomalies including ipsilateral renal agenesis 69 (99%), ovarian endometriosis 16 (type IV predominance), hematosalpinx 16, scoliosis 26 (37%), mild scoliosis 29 (41%).
Conclusion: Sub-millimeter 3D-T2 MRI significantly outperforms TSE in identifying vaginal communications and precisely localizing HWWS obstruction, enabling confident surgical planning. Routine adoption of high-resolution 3D protocols plus renal/spinal imaging is recommended.
Limitations: Despite 3D MRI’s clear benefit for detecting cervix–septum fistulas, collapsed vaginal walls occasionally obscured the tract; with consent, we will trial gel distension to sharpen vaginal anatomy.
Funding for this study: National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding(2022-PUMCH-B-069)
Has your study been approved by an ethics committee? Yes
Ethics committee - additional information: This study was approved by the PUMC Ethics Committee (No. K24C2950).