MRI in Pregnancy

determine. Following two further episodes of antepartum haemorrhage, magnetic resonance imaging was carried out at 34 weeks gestation. Sagittal and coronal sections were obtained on a Picker MRI system using T1 weighted pulse sequences (sagittal TR 300 ms, TE 30 ms, coronal TR 500 ms, TE 26 ms). Figure 1 demonstrates the normal placenta on the posterior uterine wall, terminating just over 1 cm from the internal os. A succenturiate lobe lies on the anterior wall terminating 3.5cm from the os. Blood vessels are clearly seen between these, lying between the foetal head and the os. After several further minor episodes of bleeding, an ultrasound study at 36 weeks confirmed the finding of fluid filled structures (blood vessels) between the foetal head and the os. Detailed visualisation of the placental relationship to the internal os again proved difficult. At 36.4 weeks, a healthy boy of 2.5 kg was delivered by emergency lower section Caesarian Section. The MRI findings were confirmed at operation.