Combined Diffusion-Relaxometry MRI to Identify Dysfunction in the Human Placenta

TL;DR

This study introduces a rapid combined diffusion-relaxometry MRI technique to distinguish healthy from dysfunctional placentas, offering a new tool for fetal and maternal health assessment.

Contribution

A novel MRI acquisition method combining diffusion and relaxometry measurements in under 10 minutes for in-vivo placenta analysis.

Findings

Clear separation between normal and dysfunctional placentas in T2*-ADC spectra

Potential for improved fetal and maternal health diagnostics

Method applicable to other organ studies

Abstract

Purpose: A combined diffusion-relaxometry MR acquisition and analysis pipeline for in-vivo human placenta, which allows for exploration of coupling between T2* and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements in a sub 10 minute scan time. Methods: We present a novel acquisition combining a diffusion prepared spin-echo with subsequent gradient echoes. The placentas of 17 pregnant women were scanned in-vivo, including both healthy controls and participants with various pregnancy complications. We estimate the joint T2*-ADC spectra using an inverse Laplace transform. Results: T2*-ADC spectra demonstrate clear quantitative separation between normal and dysfunctional placentas. Conclusions: Combined T2*-diffusivity MRI is promising for assessing fetal and maternal health during pregnancy. The T2*-ADC spectrum potentially provides additional information on tissue microstructure, compared to measuring these two contrasts separately. The presented method is immediately applicable to the study of other organs.