Placental functional assessment and its relationship to adverse pregnancy outcome: comparison of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) MRI, T2-relaxation time, and umbilical artery Doppler ultrasound

Background: Early identification of placental insufficiency can lead to appropriate treatment selections and can improve neonates' outcomes. Possible contributions of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been suggested. Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic capabilities of placental intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters and T2-relaxation time, and their correlation with fetal growth and adverse outcomes, comparing umbilical artery (UmA) pulsatility index (PI). Material and Methods: A total of 68 singleton pregnancies at 24–40 weeks of gestation underwent placental MRI and were reviewed retrospectively. UmA-PI was measured using Doppler ultrasound by obstetricians. IVIM parameters (Dfast, Dslow, and f) were calculated with a Bayesian model fitting. First, the associations between gestational age (GA) with placental IVIM parameters, T2-relaxation time, and placental thickness (PT) were evaluated. Second, IVIM parameters, T2 value (Z-score), PT (Z-score), and UmA-PI (Z-score) were compared between (1) those delivering small for gestational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates, (2) emergency cesarean section (ECS), and non-ECS, and (3) preterm birth and full-term birth. Results: Low birth weight was observed in 15/68 cases (22%). GA was significantly associated only with T2-relaxation time and PT. SGA was significantly associated with T2 value (Z-score), f, and UmA-PI (Z-score). In the ECS groups, T2 value (Z-score), f, and Dfast were significantly lower than those in non-ECS groups. All IVIM parameters and T2 values (Z-score) showed significantly lower scores in the preterm birth group. Conclusion: Placental f and T2 value (Z-score) had significant associations with low birth weight and clinical adverse outcomes and could be potential imaging biomarkers of placental insufficiency.