What is the most suitable MR signal index for quantitative evaluation of placental function using Half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo compared with T2-relaxation time?

Abstract

Background

Half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) imaging is now widely used for placental and fetal imaging because of its rapidity and low sensitivity to fetal movement. If placental dysfunction is also predicted by quantitative value obtained from HASTE image, then it might be beneficial for evaluating placental wellbeing.

Purpose

To ascertain the most suitable magnetic resonance (MR) signal indexes reflecting placental function using HASTE imaging.

Material and Methods

This retrospective study included 37 consequent patients who had given informed consent to MR imaging (MRI) examinations. All had undergone MRI examinations between February 2014 and June 2015. First, the correlation between T2-relaxation time of normal placenta and gestational age (GA) was examined. Second, correlation between signal intensity ratios (SIRs) using HASTE imaging and placental T2-relaxation time were assessed. The SIRs were calculated using placental signal intensity (SI) relative to the SI of the amniotic fluid, fetal ocular globes, gastric fluid, bladder, maternal psoas major muscles, and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Results

Among the 37 patients, the correlation between T2-relaxation time of the 25 normal placentas and GA showed a moderately strong correlation (Spearman rho = –0.447, P = 0.0250). The most significant correlation with placental T2-relaxation time was observed with the placental SIR relative to the maternal psoas major muscles (SIR_{pl./psoas muscle}) (Spearman rho = −0.531, P = 0.0007).

Conclusion

This study revealed that SIR_{pl./psoas muscle} showed the best correlation to placental T2-relaxation time. Results show that SIR_{pl./psoas muscle} might be optimal as a clinically available quantitative index of placental function.

Keywords

Placental function HASTE T2-relaxatioin time reference organ psoas major muscles

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