Magnetic resonance imaging and transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus prior to embryo transfer.

This study was designed to investigate the role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in predicting the outcome of in-vitro fertilization (IVF)/embryo transfer treatment by seeking differences in receptive compared to unreceptive endometria. Women about to undergo embryo transfer were submitted to both vaginal ultrasound and MR imaging. Measurements were obtained of the thickness, cross-sectional area and volume of uterine layers and of the MR signal intensity ratios between layers. Measurements were compared with the occurrence of subsequent successful implantation. Although there was no association with either the quantity or the relative signal intensity of the endometrium, an interdependence was demonstrated between both the endometrium/myometrium and myometrium/junctional zone signal intensity ratios and subsequent successful implantation (P < 0.037 and < 0.004 respectively). It is concluded that MR imaging may provide unique information which may help in predicting the outcome of IVF/embryo transfer treatment and in understanding implantation. Significant differences were seen in the relative MR signal intensities of the myometrium.