Gender Affirmation Surgery: A Primer on Imaging Correlates for the Radiologist

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2019 Dec;213(6):1194-1203. doi: 10.2214/AJR.19.21686. Epub 2019 Aug 15.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of common gender affirmation surgical therapies, define key anatomy, and describe select complications using multidisciplinary, multimodality approaches. CONCLUSION. Gender affirmation therapy may be tailored to the needs of each individual patient. There are three major categories of gender affirmation surgery: genital reconstruction (comprising vaginoplasty and either metoidioplasty or phalloplasty), body contouring, and maxillofacial contouring (facial feminization or masculinization). If encountered in diagnostic imaging, routine evaluation should take into consideration normal postsurgical anatomy and key associated unique complications.

Keywords: body contouring; gender affirmation surgery; maxillofacial contouring; metoidioplasty; phalloplasty; transgender health; vaginoplasty.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Gender Dysphoria / diagnostic imaging*
  • Gender-Affirming Surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*