MR APPEARANCE OF UTERINE DEHISCENCE IN THE POSTCESAREAN SECTION PATIENT

Purpose: CT has been shown to be unreliable for detecting uterine dehi scence in the postoperative period after cesarean section (c-section). The purpose of this investigation is to describe the MR appearance of uterine dehiscence in this setting and identify features that disting uish complete from partial dehiscence. Method: Over an 82 month period , all charts and MR reports of patients that underwent MRI of the pelv is after c-section were reviewed for uterine dehisence. Altogether, 55 patients were imaged. Positive cases for dehiscence were retrospectiv ely reviewed by two radiologists. Imaging criteria for complete dehisc ence consisted of transmural disruption. Criteria for partial dehiscen ce consisted of disruption of the endometrial and/or serosal layer, wi thout transmural extension. Results: On MRI, five patients demonstrate d abnormalities suggestive of incisional dehiscence. Based on these im aging criteria, two of these showed complete dehiscence that was prove n at surgery and three showed findings of partial dehiscence. The opti mal imaging plane was perpendicular to the incision. Conclusion: MR fe atures may be utilized to identify total uterine dehiscence and may be more effective than CT.