Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in obstetrics. I. Maternal anatomy

Summary. We assessed the ability of magnetic resonance, a recently introduced imaging technique, to demonstrate the maternal anatomy in obstetrics. The signal intensity of different maternal tissues using T₁ and T₂ weighted sequences was examined. The bony pelvis is depicted with sufficient clarity to provide an alternative to conventional X-ray pelvimetry. The placenta and cervix have a distinctive appearance facilitating the diagnosis of placenta praevia. The unique demonstration of cervical morphology will offer the potential for investigation into the illunderstood conditions of cervical dystocia and cervical incompetence.