Fast MRI and its application in obstetrics

Although fetal hydrocephalus is commonly detected by prenatal ultrasonographic examination, posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus has rarely been observed in the fetus. We report a case of hydrocephalus secondary to intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) diagnosed by in utero magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 37 + 1 weeks of gestation. Ultrasonography revealed enlargement of the bilateral ventricles and an irregular mass measuring 20 × 12 × 10 mm in the right lateral ventricle. T1-weighted images with two-dimensional fast low-angle shot (2D-FLASH) and T2-weighted images with half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) demonstrated that an old hemorrhagic clot existed in the right lateral ventricle of the fetus. Hydrocephalus secondary to IVH was confirmed by postnatal MRI and ventriculoscopy. Fast MRI is especially useful for prenatal diagnosis of fetal brain abnormalities because it minimizes the artifact of fetal movement.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fetal Hydrocephalus Secondary to Intraventricular Hemorrhage Diagnosed by Ultrasonography and in utero Fast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Hashimoto¹,

Tada²,

Nakatsuka³

et al. 1999

“…Fast-scanning techniques for MRI can now minimize the influence of fetal and maternal motions on the image quality [3][4][5]. The use of advanced techniques, like T1-weighted imaging with twodimensional fast low-angle shots (Flash) and T2-weighted imaging with half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin echoes (Haste), allows clear images of fetal brain to be obtained without maternal and fetal sedation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antenatal Evaluation of an Encephalocele in a Dizygotic Twin Pregnancy Using Fast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Kojima¹,

Suzuki

Miyajima

et al. 2003

We report a case of an encephalocele in a dizygotic twin pregnancy, following ovulatory induction. In the involved fetus, an abnormal shadow like an encapsulated-solid tumor located on the occiput was found by routine maternal transabdominal ultrasonography at 17 weeks of gestation. The parents did not accept induced abortion because of the presence of another fetus with no abnormality on ultrasonography. At 35 weeks of gestation, transabdominal ultrasound examination showed a large occipital cyst, composed of protrusive fetal brain and cerebrospinal fluid. Fast-scanning magnetic resonance imaging delineated more clearly the inside of the abnormal lesion and thus allowed confirmation of the putative diagnosis of fetal encephalocele during pregnancy. Surgical report was possible in this case, and the patient had no severe physical or neurological abnormalities 10 months after birth. Since the prognosis appears to depend primarily on how prominent the brain tissue is inside the herniated sac, this approach had benefit for clinical decision making.

“…Plain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was shown to be useful for diagnosis of disorders of the CNS during pregnancy in our previous report [1]. Fast scanning techniques on MRI now minimizes the influence of not only fetal but also maternal motion on the image quality [2][3][4]. By using advanced techniques, T1-weighted imaging with twodimensional fast slow-angle shots (FLASH) and T2-weighted imaging with half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin echoes (HASTE) thus enable us to obtain clear images of fetal brain without any premedication.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prenatal Diagnosis of Lissencephaly (Type II) by Ultrasound and Fast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Kojima¹,

Suzuki²,

Seki³

et al. 2002