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Am J Perinatol 2008; 25(2): 091-092
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1004831
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Placenta Percreta: Methotrexate Treatment and MRI Findings

Nonna Heiskanen1 , Jaana Kröger2 , Sakari Kainulainen3 , Seppo Heinonen1
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland
  • 3Department of Radiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
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Publication Date:
04 January 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Our patient was a 24-year-old gravida 2 para 0 woman. After delivery, placenta percreta was noticed. There was no postpartum hemorrhage, and the patient desired future pregnancies. Although placenta percreta is rare, its sequelae include potentially lethal hemorrhage and loss of reproduction function. Placenta percreta was confirmed histologically and with ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Placenta percreta was treated conservatively with methotrexate. On follow-up, MRI showed a small calcified transmural extension of the placenta throughout the uterus in the right fundal area. Color Doppler ultrasonography showed no blood flow in the corresponding area, and maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was undetectable. Use of MRI is a new method to detect abnormal placentation, and it could be used on follow-up in selective cases with other follow-up modalities. However, it seems likely that conservative management to preserve future fertility remains a secured and reasonable alternative when a patient has no active bleeding.

KEYWORDS

Abnormal placentation - placenta percreta - methotrexate treatment - magnetic resonance imaging - color Doppler ultrasound