Noninvasive evaluation of the peristalsis and structure of uterine junctional zone in endometrial fibrosis patients using cine MRI and T2 mapping

Motivation: MRI can detect the peristalsis and structural changes of uterine junction zone (UJZ), providing a possible mechanism for explaining infertility in patients with endometrial fibrosis (EF). Goal(s): To investigate the value of cine MRI and T2 mapping in evaluating of the peristalsis and microstructural changes of UJZ in patients with EF. Approach: UJZ cine parameters and static parameters were measured and analyzed between healthy women, mild to moderate EF patients and severe EF patients. Results: UJZ cine MRI parameters were significantly negatively correlated to the degree of EF, yet UJZ static parameters were significantly positively correlated to the degree of EF. Impact: This study demonstrated the feasibility of cine MRI and T2 mapping in evaluating the peristalsis and microstructure of UJZ which can help clinicians to better understand infertility in patients with different degrees of EF and select the optimal treatment scheme.