Utility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Placenta Accreta

Background: Placenta accrete is one of the causes of postpartum hysterectomy. Accurate prenatal diagnosis can aid in its management. Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of placenta accrete. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the department of radiodiagnosis at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher education and research from April 2014 to September 2017. The study included 27 patients with suspected placenta accreta based on prenatal sonography or in conclusive sonogram or at high risk for placenta accrete. Placenta accreta findings as per MRI were compared with clinical findings at delivery. Data were analyzed by using coGuide software, V.1.03. Results: Out of 27 participants, 70.4% were in the age group of 21 to 30 years, 9(33.33%) participants were second and third gravida, respectively, and 21(77.78%) were in >36 weeks of gestational age. Among the study participants, 70.4% (19/27) had positive findings in MRI for placenta accrete, and 40.74% (11/27) had positive clinical findings. In MRI findings, 9(81.8%) had Indistinct myometrium, and 6 (54.55%) had T2 bands. The total diagnostic accuracy of MRI findings for placenta accreta was 70.37%. Conclusion: MRI has a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 50% in diagnosing placenta accreta. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 70.37%. Hence, MRI in the antenatal period can be used in diagnosing placenta accreta in a high-risk population