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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 42105152 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-026-01342-x

The MRI two-perfusion IVIM model improves understanding of SARS-CoV-2 virus impact on placental tissue.

MAGMA

Authors: Alessandra Maiuro, Claudia Cutonilli, Giada Ercolani, Marco Gennarini, Daniele Di Mascio, Maria Grazia Porpora, Carlo Catalano, Giuseppe Rizzo, Antonella Giancotti, Lucia Manganaro, Silvia Capuani

Affiliations

  • Department of Physics, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
  • Institute of Complex Systems (ISC), National Council of Research (CNR), Rome, Italy.
  • Department of Radiological,, Oncological and Pathological Sciences, Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
  • Department of Maternal and Child Health and Urological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
  • Institute of Complex Systems (ISC), National Council of Research (CNR), Rome, Italy.
  • Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Ardeatina 309, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has been adopted to study placentas of women infected by SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the microstructural deterioration of the tissues using the Intravoxel Incoherent Motion model (IVIM). However, unlike the results obtained on placental histology, no perfusion impairment was observed. We used the Two-perfusion IVIM model to investigate the placenta's perfusion compartments.

METHODS

DWIs of n = 12 patients affected by SARS-CoV-2 and n = 20 gestational age-matched pre-pandemic healthy subjects were acquired at 1.5 T scanner with 10 b values. The maternal and fetal placentae were investigated. Differences in the two groups were evaluated using Welch's t test.

RESULTS

The placental fetal side showed higher values of D and lower values of f2 (relative to the trophoblast compartment) in SARS-CoV-2 patients. D2* was higher on the maternal side of SARS-CoV-2 patients.

DISCUSSION

Higher values of D reflect damage to the tissue, while the lower f2 parameter suggested an impairment of the exchange between mother and fetus. The higher values of D2* in the maternal side of SARS-CoV-2 placentas may be due to a decreased capillaries' size caused by the infiltration of lymphocytes in the decidua basalis. These results further confirm the potential of the two-perfusion IVIM model in detecting placental dysfunction.

MeSH

Sars-Cov-2, Viruses, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus, Tissues, Placenta