Abstract #4046

DCE-MRI and T2* measurement of the endometrium in the menstrual and secretory phases: preliminary data in women with normal menstrual bleeding

Lucy E Kershaw^1,2, Jane J Reavey³, Scott IK Semple^1,4, Hilary OD Critchley³, and Jackie A Maybin³

¹Edinburgh Imaging Facility QMRI, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, ²Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, ³Centre for Reproductive Health, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, ⁴BHF Centre for Cardiovascular Science, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) affects approximately 1 in 4 menstruating women per year in the UK and has a severe impact on sufferers’ quality of life. Medical treatments are available but side effects are common and the underlying physiological mechanisms of HMB remain unclear. We imaged eight women with normal menstrual bleeding during the menstrual and secretory phases of the cycle, measuring endometrial T2*, microvascular plasma flow and microvascular plasma volume. We saw a shorter T2* at menstruation, adding to the evidence from other techniques that hypoxia may be important in cessation of bleeding and endometrial repair.

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