Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of uterine torsion.

Abstract

Uterine torsion is defined as the rotation of more than 45 degrees around the long axis of the uterus. An uncommon but potentially fatal event, uterine torsion is rarely diagnosed until the time of surgery. With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), however, an accurate diagnosis of uterine torsion may now be made preoperatively. We describe a patient with uterine torsion in whom the correct diagnosis was made prenatally with the use of MRI, by the demonstration of an X-shaped configuration of the upper vagina. Distinctive features suggestive of uterine torsion were demonstrated by MRI and enabled an accurate preoperative diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of uterine torsion diagnosed on MRI.