MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF PERIPARTUM RUPTURE OF THE SYMPHYSIS PUBIS

Background: Peripartum pubic symphyseal rupture is diagnosed on clinic al grounds. Although the diagnosis may be supported by radiography, wh ich shows diastasis of the pubic rami, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ) can visualize the nature of the soft tissue injury. Case: Two puerpe ras thought clinically to have pubic symphyseal rupture were imaged wi th MRI. In addition to diastasis of the pubic rami, clefts were seen w ithin the symphyseal cartilage, extending the entire breadth of the jo int The clefts were filled with fluid or hemorrhage, seen in T-1- and T-2-weighted images. The fluid was encapsulated within the joint by th e surrounding ligaments. Four control normal puerperas, who had vagina l deliveries but were asymptomatic, showed none of the aforementioned findings. Conclusion: MRI can visualize the soft tissue injury seen in pubic symphyseal rupture and may be used to confirm the clinical diag nosis.