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Research progress of MRI technique in evaluating placental insufficiency
WANG Hong  WANG Yingchao  WEI Ming 

Cite this article as: WANG H, WANG Y C, WEI M. Research progress of MRI technique in evaluating placental insufficiency[J]. Chin J Magn Reson Imaging, 2025, 16(10): 215-221, 228. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2025.10.034.


[Abstract] Placental insufficiency can lead to preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and preterm birth, and it is difficult to detect before the onset of clinical symptoms. Currently, Doppler ultrasound has a relatively low sensitivity for its diagnosis. However, with the continuous development of new MRI techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging, intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, arterial spin labeling, arterial spin labeling with flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery, blood oxygenation level dependent imaging and rapid functional MRI based on artificial intelligence, it is possible to assess the microstructure, metabolism and perfusion of the placenta. This article systematically reviews the potential advantages and disadvantages of new MRI techniques in evaluating the remodeling of uterine spiral arteries, quantifying placental blood flow perfusion, and automatically quantifying the status of mature placentas that deviate from normal dynamics and closely related pregnancy complications, and discusses future research directions. The aim is to provide a reliable basis for early, rapid and reliable prediction of placental insufficiency in clinical practice, and at the same time provide new ideas for management and possible intervention measures.
[Keywords] placental insufficiency；magnetic resonance imaging；diffusion-weighted imaging；intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging；blood oxygen level dependent；diffusion tensor imaging；arterial spin labeling with flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery；artificial intelligence

WANG Hong1, 2   WANG Yingchao1, 2*   WEI Ming1, 2  

1 Department of Medical Imaging, Zhangye People's Hospital Affiliated to Hexi University, Zhangye 734000, China

2 Institute of Medical Imaging, Hexi University, Zhangye 734000, China

Corresponding author: WANG Y C, E-mail: 821497422@qq.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2024-08-17
Accepted  2025-09-10
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2025.10.034
Cite this article as: WANG H, WANG Y C, WEI M. Research progress of MRI technique in evaluating placental insufficiency[J]. Chin J Magn Reson Imaging, 2025, 16(10): 215-221, 228. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2025.10.034.

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