Use of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of placental invasion

Aim

To review and describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features in patients with suspected placental invasion and correlate the findings with surgery and pathology findings.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review was undertaken of the MRI images of seven consecutive patients with ultrasound findings suspicious for placental invasion. Two experienced MRI radiologists, blinded to the pathology and surgery findings, reviewed the MRI. The pathology or surgical findings were used as the reference standard to establish accuracy and concordance with the MRI findings.

Results

Three MRI features described in an earlier series were consistently present in the patients with placental invasion: lower uterine bulging, heterogeneous placenta, and dark intraplacental linear bands on T2-weighted images.

Conclusion

MRI features, which were described in patients with placental invasion in an earlier series, were useful in establishing the presence and depth of placental invasion.