Oral contraceptives and uterine peristalsis: Evaluation with MRI

Abstract

Purpose:To evaluate the effects of oral contraceptives (OCs) on uterine contractility using cine MRI, and correlate the kinematic findings with the static findings. Materials and Methods:Healthy female volunteers of reproductive age (23 taking OCs, and 15 not) were evaluated at mid-cycle. MR images were obtained with a 1.5T magnet, with 60 serial images taken every three seconds by halfFourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) to be displayed in cine mode. Assessments were based on the 1) detectability of uterine peristalsis in cine mode, 2) peristaltic frequency and direction, 3) thickness of the endometrium, myometrium, and junctional zone (JZ) on T2-weighted images (T2WIs), and 4) intensity of the myometrium and cervical mucus on T2WIs and T1-weighted images (T1WIs), respectively. Results:Uterine peristalsis was markedly decreased in the OC users. The endometrium and JZ were significantly thinner, and the myometrium was thicker in the OC users compared to controls. The signal intensity of the myometrium and cervical mucus was significantly higher in the OC users than in controls. Conclusion:OCs markedly suppressed uterine peristalsis at mid-cycle, and the uterus displayed a globular configuration with a thin JZ that may be related to decreased uterine peristalsis in OC users.

MRI of the female pelvis at 3T compared to 1.5T: Evaluation on high‐resolution T2‐weighted and HASTE images

“…Axial and sagittal T2W images were evaluated separately. A total of 20 serial images were obtained by HASTE in the midsagittal plane of the uterus for the cine‐mode display, in accordance with previous studies (2, 4, 5); however, only the first image was used for the evaluation as a static HASTE image for the current comparison.…”

“…MRI can exhibit the zonal anatomy of the uterus on T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI) and thus help to evaluate uterine tumors and other gynecological conditions. With the advent of fast MRI, kinematic imaging of the uterus using half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot turbo spin‐echo (HASTE) can demonstrate uterine peristalsis (1, 2) and uterine contraction (3, 4), which are related to the menstrual cycle (1), hormonal status (5), dysmenorrhea (4), and uterine pathology (6). However, current 1.5‐Tesla (T) MRI has some limitations due to its limited signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR).…”

MR imaging of the female pelvis at 3 Tesla: Evaluation of image homogeneity using different dielectric pads

“…The integrated parallel acquisition technique (iPAT; reduction factor = 2) using generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisitions (GRAPPA, with a reduction factor = 2) (20) was employed on T1WI, enabling a reduction in acquisition time. For HASTE, a total of 20 serial images were obtained in the midsagittal plane of the uterus for the cine mode display, according to previous studies (17, 21). Flip angle and slice number were carefully adjusted not to exceed SAR limitations based on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards.…”

Changes of the Normal Ovary During Menstrual Cycle in Reproductive Age on the Diffusion-Weighted Image

“…1Y3 Regarding the uterus, morphology and MR appearance have been reported to vary according to the menstrual cycle, age, and hormonal status such as oral contraceptives and hormonal therapies. 3,4 Morphology of the normal ovary also changes dramatically during the menstrual cycle. The cyclic changes including maturation of the follicles, ovulation, and progression and regression of the luteal body are repeated in the normal ovaries during the reproductive age influenced by hormonal changes.…”