Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Late Gestation Cervix and Birth Outcome Correlation: A Prospective Cohort Study
Bansal S, Uus AU, Glazewska-Hallin A, Allwin C, Waheed H, Kyriakopoulou V, David AL, Siassakos D, Chandiramani M, Hutter J, Story L, Rutherford MA (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Abstract
Objective: To use low-field MRI to produce reconstructions and 3D models of the cervix and to automate measurements for correlation with demographics and birth outcomes. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: KCL Advanced Imaging Centre, St Thomas's Hospital. Population: Late gestation (36-41w) women attempting their first vaginal birth, recruited to the MiBirth study (n = 97). Methods: Reconstructed images were produced from 2D T2-weighted Turbo-Spin-Echo 2D sequences acquired with a 0.55 T Freemax MRI scanner. Segmentations and anatomical landmarks were automated using an in-house 3D deep learning segmentation network, from which cervical 2D measurements and 3D volumes were generated. Main Outcome Measures: Quality of reconstructed images and segmentations. Inter-rater variability for cervical biometry. Correlation between cervical measurements, maternal demographics and birth outcomes. Results: Successful reconstructions were obtained for 92.9%; 84.9% were good quality. Excellent or good quality segmentations were obtained for all successful reconstructions (n = 99). Inter-rater variability between automated and manual biometry was excellent or good for cervical measurements. Total cervical and stroma volumes significantly increased with cervical length (p < 0.01). Os diameters and utero-cervical angle significantly decreased as cervical length increased (p < 0.001). Cervical stroma volume increased with maternal age (p = 0.02). Controlling for maternal age, an increased cervical volume was associated with an increased risk of caesarean section (OR 1.09, p = 0.04). Conclusions: This is a novel, accurate automated system to assess MRI late gestation cervical biometry and volumetry. We have shown that the late gestation cervical phenotype may influence birth outcomes and provided a new mechanism for increased risk of caesarean with maternal age.
Involved external institutions
United Kingdom (GB)How to cite
APA:
Bansal, S., Uus, A.U., Glazewska-Hallin, A., Allwin, C., Waheed, H., Kyriakopoulou, V.,... Rutherford, M.A. (2025). Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Late Gestation Cervix and Birth Outcome Correlation: A Prospective Cohort Study. Bjog-An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.70103
MLA:
Bansal, Simi, et al. "Low-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Late Gestation Cervix and Birth Outcome Correlation: A Prospective Cohort Study." Bjog-An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2025).
BibTeX: Download