Magnetic resonance imaging in the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects (NTDs).BackgroundNTDs comprise a heterogeneous group of congenital anomalies that derive from the failure of the neural tube to close. Advances in ultrasonography and MRI have considerably improved the diagnosis and treatment of NTDs both before and after birth. Ultrasonography is the first technique in the morphological study of the fetus, and it often makes it possible to detect or suspect NTDs. Fetal MRI is a complementary technique that makes it possible to clear up uncertain ultrasonographic findings and to detect associated anomalies that might go undetected at ultrasonography. The progressive incorporation of intrauterine treatments makes an accurate diagnosis of NTDs essential to ensure optimal perinatal management. The ability of fetal MRI to detect complex anomalies that affect different organs has been widely reported, and it can be undertaken whenever NTDs are suspected.ConclusionWe describe the normal appearance of fetal neural tube on MRI, and we discuss the most common anomalies involving the structures and the role of fetal MRI in their assessment.Key Points• To learn about the normal anatomy of the neural tube on MRI• To recognise the MR appearance of neural tube defects• To understand the value of MRI in assessing NTDs

Prenatal Diagnosis and Patient Preferences in Patients with Neural Tube Defects around the Advent of Fetal Surgery in Belgium and Holland

“…Additional diagnostic steps include genetic testing and, where applicable, advanced imaging, which may include MRI [2,3,8]. Only after all this information becomes available are patients counseled on individual findings.…”

Normal development of the fetal spinal canal and spinal cord at T12 on 3.0-T MRI

“…Traditionally, ultrasound was the primary modality used for imaging during pregnancy, and rapid advancements in technology have improved the image resolution capabilities of ultrasound devices and the clinical application of ultrasound for evaluating fetal structures (1–3). More recently, the ultrafast 1.5-T superconducting MR scanner has gained popularity for prenatal diagnoses as it can provide more detailed anatomical information (4–12). Furthermore, fetal MR at 3.0-T is emerging as a method that may have utility for assessment of fetal anomalies due to an increased signal-to-noise ratio, decreased acquisition time, and increased spatial resolution (14).…”

“…Routine obstetric ultrasonography plays a critical role in assessing most fetal abnormalities (1–3). Routine obstetric in utero magnetic resonance imaging (iuMRI) is useful in fetuses with suspected brain and spinal abnormalities (4–12). The ability to recognize defects of the spinal canal and spinal cord in fetuses using ultrasonography and MRI requires an understanding of the normal growth dynamics of the spinal canal and spinal cord.…”

An automatic multi-tissue human fetal brain segmentation benchmark using the Fetal Tissue Annotation Dataset

“…An initial step for the quantification of fetal brain morphology and volumetry is image segmentation. It is clinically relevant to analyse information such as shape or volume of the developing cortex, cerebellum, brainstem, white matter and cerebrospinal fluid spaces, as many congenital disorders cause subtle changes to these tissue compartments 6,15,16 . Existing growth data is mainly based on normally developing brains [17][18][19] , and we lack growth data for many pathologies and congenital disorders.…”