Magnetic resonance–based serial pelvimetry: Do maternal pelvic dimensions change during pregnancy? - 19/08/11

Doi : 10.1016/j.ajog.2006.03.008

Glenn S. Huerta-Enochian, MD ^a,^⁎ , Vern L. Katz, MD ^c, Linda K. Fox, MD ^a, Jefferson A. Hamlin, MD ^b, Jeffrey P. Kollath, MS ^d
^a Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology
^b Radiology, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Corvallis, OR
^c Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Eugene, OR
^d Department of Mathematics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Reprint requests: Glenn Huerta-Enochian, MD, 3615 NW Samaritan Dr, Suite 100, Corvallis, OR 97330.

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the stability of the maternal pelvis over the course of the third trimester and the puerperium.

Study design

Pregnant patients were recruited to undergo comparative magnetic resonance–based pelvimetry and fetal ultrasonography at 37 to 38 weeks of gestation. Most of the patients were recruited from a study of women who planned a trial of labor after a previous cesarean delivery for cephalopelvic disproportion. These results have been reported previously. Patients then underwent magnetic resonance–based pelvimetry within 3 days and at 3 months after delivery. Postdelivery analysis was used to answer the question: Do pelvic dimensions change after delivery?

Results

Eighteen patients completed the study. Eleven of the patients underwent cesarean deliveries, of which 4 deliveries were before labor. Seven patients had successful vaginal births after their previous cesarean delivery. Statistical analysis of the 18 patients determined that pelvic measurements did not demonstrate change over the course the study.

Conclusion

Serial magnetic resonance–based pelvimetry showed relative stability of pelvic measurements through the course of pregnancy and delivery. If comparative pelvimetry is to be useful as an antepartum predictor of labor success, then it may be possible to obtain reliable pelvimetry in those patients anytime after delivery.

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Key words : Pelvimetry, Magnetic resonance imaging, Pelvic measurement

Plan

Material and methods

Results

Comment

Supported by the Erkilla Foundation, Corvallis, OR.
Presented at the 72nd Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, September 28-October 2, 2005, Kauai, HI.
Editor’s Note: This manuscript was revised after presentation at the Annual Meeting.