Postpartum magnetic resonance imaging in a case of placenta accreta with intrauterine abscess formation

Abstract.

The postpartum magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of a patient with placenta accreta and abscess formation is presented here and compared to the ultrasound and CT findings. The diagnosis was confirmed on histopathologic examination and cultures of the hysterectomy specimen. On MRI, the T1-weighted acquisitions showed an enlarged uterus of mildly heterogeneous but predominantly low signal intensity. The T2-weighted images demonstrated a heterogenous area of predominantly bright signal within the uterine body and fundus. In this case, MRI was more informative than ultrasound and non-contrast CT scan in the postpartum diagnosis of placenta accreta with abscess formation.