MR Imaging of Non-CNS Fetal Abnormalities: A Pictorial Essay

Abstract

The recent popularity of prenatal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been associated with the development of ultrafast MR imaging techniques such as the single-shot fast spin-echo sequence. However, the majority of previous reports have concerned the fetal central nervous system (CNS) and chest disorders. MR imaging can demonstrate non-CNS fetal anatomy and pathologic conditions clearly. With its excellent tissue contrast, MR imaging provides information that supplements that provided by ultrasonography (US), especially in cases of neck, chest, and gastrointestinal lesions. Because of its large field of view, MR imaging allows evaluation of the relationship between a large lesion and adjacent structures. MR imaging should be considered if the diagnosis of a suspected non-CNS lesion is unclear at fetal US. MR imaging plays an important complementary role to US in cases of non-CNS fetal lesions and will be further accepted for fetal imaging in the future.

Frequency and Cause of Disagreements in Diagnoses for Fetuses Referred for Ventriculomegaly

“…In particular, fetuses with migrational abnormalities and porencephaly were diagnosed at MR but not at US. These findings are similar to findings in other studies that have assessed the effect of MR on prenatal diagnosis of CNS anomalies (1,(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23). This reinforces the added value of MR in fetuses referred for VM.…”

Obstetric MRI

“…It has been demonstrated that in cases in which the sonographic diagnosis is unclear, MR examinations can provide important anatomic information that aids in diagnosis, parental counseling, planning delivery, and perinatal surgical procedures (86,(95)(96)(97)(98). In particular, MR can be helpful in assessment of sacrococcygeal teratoma.…”

“…This information is important, since it will affect the postnatal surgical approach to the lesion (101). Fetal MR imaging has been shown to be useful for planning postpartum surgery (86,97,99,101), and for decision-making regarding the timing and mode of delivery (101).…”

Fetal Abdominal Anomaliler

“…Son yıllarda fetal MRG' nin artan kullanı-mı ile obstrüksiyonun proksimalindeki dilate barsak segmentlerinin T1 sinyal intensitesi ile atrezi yerinin doğru şekilde saptanabileceği bildirilmektedir [16]. Normalde proksimal ince barsak artmış T2 sinyal intensitesi ve azalmış T1 sinyal intensitesi gösterirken, distal ince barsak segmenti azalmış T2 sinyali ve artmış T1 sinyali gösterir.…”