Assessment of the massive hemorrhage in placenta accreta spectrum with magnetic resonance imaging

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether MRI features are able to predict massive hemorrhage of patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). A total of 40 patients with suspected PAS after ultrasound examination were subjected to MRI. Of these, 29 patients were confirmed as having PAS. MRI data were analyzed independently by two radiologists in a blinded manner. Inter-observer agreement was determined. The 29 confirmed patients were divided into two groups (moderate and massive hemorrhage) according to the estimated blood loss (EBL) and blood transfusion, and the MRI features were compared between the two groups. The EBL, as well as blood transfusion, between the patients with and without each MRI feature were compared. The inter-observer agreement between the two radiologists for the 11 MRI features had statistical significance (P<0.05). Intra-placental thick dark bands and markedly heterogeneous placenta were the most important MRI features in predicting massive hemorrhage and blood transfusion (P<0.05). The difference in EBL between the patients with and without focal defect of the uteroplacental interface (UPI) was significant (P<0.05). The differences in blood transfusion between the patients with and without myometrial thinning, disruption of the inner layer of the UPI, increased placental vascularity and increased vascularity at the UPI were significant (P<0.05). These results indicate that MRI features may predict massive hemorrhage of patients with PAS, which may be helpful for pre-operative preparation of PAS patients.