Uterine Peristalsis Shown On Dynamic MR Imaging

Objective:To demonstrate and evaluate uterine peristalsis on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)using ultrafast imaging.Methods:Between September 2014 and December 2014,a total of fifty-five volunteers were underwent dynamic MR imaging over 360 seconds and videotaped at the speed of ten times.Two radiologists independently evaluated videotapes of ninety-eight studies.Between September 2014 and April 2015,twenty volunteers and eleven patients with untreated endometriosis were recruited.The videotapes of thirty-three studies were evaluated by two radiologists independently as well.Results:Uterine peristalsis was found depending on menstrual cycle phase.It was most active during periovulatory phase from cevical to fudus at the speed of 12.48 times every 6 minutes.It was most inactive during luteal phase at the speed of 1 time every 6 minutes.Uterine peristalsis during menstrua phase was from fundus to cervical at the speed of 3.55 times every 6 minutes.Uterine peristalsis during periovulatory phase in endometriosis patients was about 2.54 times every 6 minutes.Peristaltic detection rate and frequency were significantly less for the endometriosis group than for the controls in the periovulatory phase(p<0.05).Conclusion:Uterine peristalsis was demonstrated on dynamic MR using ultrafast MRI.Direction and frequency of peristaltic waves are closely related to menstrual cycle phases.Uterine peristalsis appeared to be suppressed during the periovulatory phase in patients with endometriosis,which may have an adverse effect on sperm transport.