Novel MRI method provides detailed view of the placenta during pregnancy

Researchers have developed a new method to process MRI scans to reveal the distinct compartments of the placenta, take measurements of oxygen levels in each region and determine if there are malformations in blood vessels (i.e., placental lesions). At present this level of detail is currently not possible to obtain using standard MRI analysis methods.

The study team, led by Yong Wang, Ph.D., at Washington University in St. Louis and Alison Cahill, M.D., at the University of Texas at Austin, developed analysis methods for MRI scans that are routinely collected in hospitals and healthcare facilities. Importantly, these types of MRI scans do not require contrast agents, which are only used during pregnancy for limited circumstances.

The team’s machine learning method automatically processes MRI data to visualize separate placental compartments, including the intervillous space (the area where maternal blood enters to provide nutrients and gas exchange), placental vessels and placental tissue. Unlike current MRI analysis methods, which can only measure placental oxygen as an average across the entire organ, the new method can characterize oxygen levels within these discrete compartments.