In 2013 the American College of Radiology concluded
that present data have not documented conclusively any
deleterious effects of MRI exposure on the developing
fetus, with no special considerations being recommended
for any trimester of pregnancy.24 In case 2 from our institution
presented above, MRI diagnosed adhesional SBO in a
twin IVF pregnancy at 27 weeks’ gestation. This allowed a
trial of conservative treatment until the 28th week of gestation
where if a laparotomy had triggered labour, the chances
of fetal survival would have been greatly improved.
The overall risks of laparotomy triggering premature
labour are significant. In the contemporary literature, it
occurred in three cases (7%), with a 100% fetal mortality
rate.6,18,19