Alessandra Tomei, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Francesca Fierro MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marco Di Maurizio MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Daniela Irimia MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Paolo Sollazzo MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Lucia Manganaro MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Giuseppe Maria Vilella, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Fabio Coratella, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

00030490-DMT et al, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the role of the perfusion in the Diffusion-Weighted imaging in the evaluation of normal placental aging

A total of 33 pregnant women with 34 fetuses underwent MRI for suspected disorders in several organs. A multiplanar study of fetuses was obtained by using T2-weighted sequences and echo planar imaging (EPI); notwithstanding the diagnostic question, in every study also the placenta was included.We performed, in the same patient, two echoplanar sequences with a b value, respectively, of 0, 200, 700 and 50, 200 and 700 sec/mm2 .The corresponding ADC maps were calculated for all fetuses, divided into three groups based on gestational age (I group: from 20 to 26 gestation week; II group: 27-33; III group: 34-40).Patients with suspected utero-placental insufficiency or placental anomalies were excluded

ADC values obtained from the EPI with b value 0, 200 ad 700 sec/mm2 had a range from 0.8 to 2.5 mm2/s, with an inverse correlation between ADC values on ADC maps and gestational age (GA), while the ADC values obtained from the EPI with b value 50, 200 ad 700 sec/mm2 didn’t show any correlation (range: 1.5- 1.7 mm2/s)

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with ADC maps can’t be considered markers for the placental aging, because of the role of perfusion in such sequences

 

Tomei, A, Fierro, F, Di Maurizio, M, Irimia, D, Sollazzo, P, Manganaro, L, Vilella, G, Coratella, F, et al, 0, MRI and Diffusion-weighted Imaging (DWI): Which Is the Role of the Perfusion in the Evaluation of Placental Changes during Gestation?.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8010454.html