Volume 51, Issue 1 pp. 124-130

Original Research

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) of the Cesarean-Scarred Uterus in vivo at 3T: Comparison Study of DTI Parameters Between Nonpregnant and Pregnant Cases

Wenting Zhang MD,

Wenting Zhang MD

orcid.org/0000-0003-0083-557X

Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

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Juan Chen MD,

Corresponding Author

Juan Chen MD

[email protected]

Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

Address reprint requests to: J.C., Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No. 1111, west Xianxia Road, Changning, Shanghai, China. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Wenting Zhang MD,

Wenting Zhang MD

orcid.org/0000-0003-0083-557X

Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Search for more papers by this author

Juan Chen MD,

Corresponding Author

Juan Chen MD

[email protected]

Fifth People's Hospital of Shanghai, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China

First published: 19 July 2019

https://doi.org/10.1002/jmri.26868

Citations: 9

Contract grant sponsor: Natural Science Foundation of Minhang District, Shanghai, China; Contract grant number: 2017MHZ40.

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Abstract

Background

Fiber architecture of the human uterus can be depicted in vivo using 3T MR-DTI (diffusion tensor imaging).

Purpose

To investigate the differences in fibrous structure and DTI-related parameters between nonpregnant and pregnant cases in vivo.

Study Type

Prospective case–control study.

Subjects

Thirty-one subjects were divided into two groups; 18 nonpregnant volunteers with previous cesarean deliveries (Group 1) and 13 patients in early pregnancy also with previous cesarean section (Group 2).

Field Strength/Sequence

3T Ssh-EPI (single-shot echo planar imaging) fast sequence with b values of 0 and 600 s/mm² along 30 directions.

Assessment

Fiber density, fiber length, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, and the fractional anisotropy (FA) value measured in the mid-sagittal plane of the uterus were obtained from the outer myometrium (OM), junctional zone (JZ), and the cesarean section scar (CSS). Fiber architecture in vivo was depicted by 3D diffusion tensor tractography (DTT).

Statistical Tests

A t-test of independent sample or Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for comparison.

Results

Pregnant scarred-uterus (Group 2) showed a decrease in fiber density, FA value, and an increase in fiber length, ADC value than the nonpregnant scarred-uterus (Group 1) on OM, JZ, and CSS. Among the above parameters between the two groups, for OM, significant differences were found in fiber density (P < 0.001), length (P = 0.0306), and ADC (P = 0.0039). For JZ, significant differences were found in fiber density (P = 0.0093), FA (P = 0.0002), and ADC (P < 0.001). The scar's fiber density (P = 0.0794), length (P = 0.6167), FA (P = 0.6305), and ADC value (P = 0.1865) showed no statistically significant difference during early pregnancy.

Data Conclusion

Our results indicate considerable diffusional changes in uterine fiber architecture during pregnancy. The microenvironment of scar tissue appears to change little during early pregnancy.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:124–130.

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Citing Literature

Volume51, Issue1

January 2020

Pages 124-130

Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) of the Cesarean-Scarred Uterus in vivo at 3T: Comparison Study of DTI Parameters Between Nonpregnant and Pregnant Cases

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Study Type

Subjects

Field Strength/Sequence

Assessment

Statistical Tests

Results

Data Conclusion

References

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) of the Cesarean-Scarred Uterus in vivo at 3T: Comparison Study of DTI Parameters Between Nonpregnant and Pregnant Cases

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Study Type

Subjects

Field Strength/Sequence

Assessment

Statistical Tests

Results

Data Conclusion

References

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information