Quantitative analysis of the placental structure and function and fetal growth using intravoxel incoherent motion MRI

Placental structural and functional parameters are important for the assessment of placental insufficiency and fetal growth. Here we assessed quantitative measures of placental structural and functional parameters extracted from Intravoxel-incoherent motion (IVIM) with radiomics analysis, in fetuses with growth restriction (FGR) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA). Placental structure (volume and centricity index (CI, umbilical cord insertion location) were correlated with radiomics features of placental perfusion in AGA, and some were found to be significantly different between FGR and AGA, indicating higher functional heterogeneity in FGR. This multi-parametric quantitative placental assessment may improve identification of FGR fetuses.