Endorsing consensus interpretation for diagnosing placenta accreta spectrum disorders on MRI.

Authors

Benjamin Parnes, Amita Kamath, Barak Friedman, Michael King, Caroline Lieberman, Kara Ho, Kamran Ali, Samantha Platt, Himanshu Sharma, Jackie Xiang, Shima Rastegar, Yuxin Liu, John Doucette, Konstantin Zakashansky, Bachir Taouli, Sara Lewis

Published in

European radiology. Jul 21, 2025. Epub Jul 21, 2025.

Abstract

To determine the performance of MRI features alone and combined in a model for the diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders in pregnant women.
This single health system IRB-approved retrospective study included 131 pregnant women who underwent MRI for placental (n = 122) or fetal (n = 9, controls) indications (2016-2021). Three independent observers assessed 11 PAS features on MRI, endorsed in prior studies, with consensus adjudication of discordances by 2 separate expert observers. The reference standard was established by intra-operative findings and/or pathology. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression and ROC analysis evaluated MRI feature performance for PAS diagnosis alone and combined in a model.
131 pregnant patients (mean age 36 years, range 21-54 years; mean gestational age 28 weeks) were included. PAS was present in 54/131 (41.2%) patients. Consensus adjudication demonstrated that all MRI features and history of prior deliveries (vaginal or caesarean section) were associated with PAS (p ≤ 0.0003). Most MRI features, except the "serosal vessel sign," were associated with PAS for the independent observers (p < 0.04). At consensus, "loss of T2-retroplacental line" (sensitivity 0.87/specificity 0.43/p = 0.0003) and "myometrial thinning" (sensitivity 0.87/specificity 0.47/p < 0.0001) showed the highest sensitivity for PAS, while "bladder vessel sign" had the highest specificity (sensitivity 0.28/specificity 1.0/p < 0.0001). A multivariable model comprised of "uterine/placental bulge," "focal exophytic placental mass," and "bladder vessel sign" demonstrated an AUC = 0.83 (95% confidence interval 0.76-0.83) for PAS diagnosis using consensus data.
A model based on consensus interpretation of MRI findings demonstrated good performance for diagnosing PAS.
Question The lack of validated MRI criteria and inter-observer variability limits MRI's reliability for noninvasive placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) diagnosis in pregnant women. Findings MRI features demonstrated variable sensitivity and specificity across readers for PAS diagnosis, often at a trade-off, highlighting the need for consensus review. Clinical relevance A model based on consensus interpretation of MRI findings, comprised of "uterine/placental bulge," "exophytic placental mass," and "bladder vessel sign," demonstrated good performance for diagnosing PAS, which is essential given the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality at delivery.

PMID:
40689998
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 21 Jul 2025.

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