MR imaging of placenta accreta treated by embolization: case report and review of the literature

Placenta accreta results from an abnormal attachment of the placenta to the uterine myometrium. The reported incidence in literature is variable, with an average of 1/7000 pregnancies. This condition is associated with a sign ificant risk of bleeding at the time of delivery, usually requiring hystere ctomy. Sonography associated with color Doppler is useful for diagnosis, bu t MRI can be used successfully to evaluate the degree of placental tissue i nvading into the myometrium, the serosa, and for follow-up after conservati ve management. To our knownledge, only two cases of placenta accreta evaluated with MR and six cases of placenta accreta treated by embolization have been reported i n the literature. The authors report one case of placenta accreta treated s uccessfully by embolization, and followed-up by MRI.