Magnetic resonance imaging of the intrauterine fetal genitourinary tract

Fetal MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) assessment in the evaluation of renal development: preliminary experience in normal kidneys

“…In particular, the fetal organs with suspected malformations to be confirmed by MR imaging were the Parole chiave Feto · Risonanza magnetica · Rene · Diffusione · ADC Introduzione L'ultrasonografia pre-natale rappresenta l'imaging di prima scelta nello studio dell'anatomia fetale, ma la sua accuratezza può essere limitata da condizioni patologiche fetali, quali anidramnios, oligoidramnios, sindromi malformative complesse e condizioni di pertinenza materna, come l'obesità [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. La RM consente un dettagliato studio morfologico dell'anatomia fetale, con riguardo al tratto urinario, ma anche una valutazione delle eventuali patologie del tratto urinario stesso che possono presentarsi in forma isolata o associate ad anomalie di altri organi o apparati, soprattutto del tratto gastrointestinale e dei polmoni [8][9][10].…”

“…Prenatal ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice in the study of fetal anatomy, although its accuracy may be limited by pathological fetal conditions such as anhydramnios, oligohydramnios and complex malformations as well as maternal conditions such as obesity [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides a detailed morphological study of the fetal renal system anatomy as well as allowing assessment of possible urinary tract disorders, which may be isolated or associated with abnormalities of other organs or systems, especially of the gastrointestinal tract or lungs [8][9][10].…”

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in fetal renal anomalies

“…On T2-weighted images, fetal kidneys are seen as oval structures with intermediate signal intensity on either side of the spine [14,15]. The presence of urine enables easy visualization of the renal collecting system as high-signal structures in the middle of the kidney.…”

Infrared spectrophotometry of intraluminal meconium calculi in a neonate with imperforate anus and rectourethral fistula

“…In the last trimester of pregnancy, all fetuses are shown to have urinary contents by ingestion within the bowel lumen because the amniotic fluid contains a major degree of voided urine [3,14]. In fetuses affected with intestinal atresia and total colonic aganglionosis, the bowel lumen proximal to the mechanical or functional obstruction may contain a large amount of meconium and ingested urine, which may be markedly concentrated by intestinal absorption [15].…”