Significance of magnetic resonance imaging in detection of invasive placenta
Abstract
Aim – to evaluate the significance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of invasive placenta.
Research methods
The 4 most complex cases of invasive placenta in which MRI scans were performed were retrospectively analyzed. After re-examination of the examination images, the signs of invasive placenta on MRI were further assessed. The literature review provides diagnostic options and key recommendations for this study.
Results
After analyzing case histories and MRI images, in all cases the results of the MRI examination coincided with the conclusions of the histological examination. The sample size of most studies was small due to the rarity of the pathology, thus the sensitivity and specificity of MRI in the diagnosis of invasive placenta vary widely, between 75 – 100 % and 65 – 100 %, respectively. The most common signs of invasive placenta on MRI are placental shape asymmetry, heterogeneous structure, intraplacental fibers, focal exophytic masses, lost retroplacental space, thinned myometrium, and pathological blood flow.
Conclusions
- MRI is an additional diagnostic method for the detection of invasive placenta, after the pathology is suspected by ultrasound examination and after evaluation of clinical data.
- MRI is characterized by high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy, higher than average positive prognostic value (PPV) and negative prognostic value (NPV).
