PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study of gastrointestinal malformations in comparison to prenatal ultrasound (US). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective (2010-2012) study of 38 fetal MRI scans was performed on 38 fetuses between 24 and 38 weeks of gestation. All the fetuses had a US diagnosis of gastrointestinal anomalies. T2-weighted HASTE, T1-weighted fast gradient echo, TrueFISP and diffusion-weighted images of the fetal abdomen were obtained on a 1.5-Tesla magnet. All fetal MRI diagnoses were compared with postnatal US findings, autopsy or surgical reports. RESULTS: Fetal MRI was able to confirm the sonographic findings in nine of 38 fetuses (23.7%), to provide additional information in 23 of 38 fetuses (60.6%), to exclude the US diagnosis in five cases (5.2%) and to change it in two cases (5.2%). It was not able to characterize a case of gastric duplication and a case of abdominal cystic lymphangioma (5.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal MRI can be used as a complementary imaging modality to US in prenatal evaluation of gastrointestinal anomalies and can be considered a valuable tool not only for confirming or excluding but also for providing additional information to fetal ultrasonographic findings.
PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study of gastrointestinal malformations in comparison to prenatal ultrasound (US). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective (2010-2012) study of 38 fetal MRI scans was performed on 38 fetuses between 24 and 38 weeks of gestation. All the fetuses had a US diagnosis of gastrointestinal anomalies. T2-weighted HASTE, T1-weighted fast gradient echo, TrueFISP and diffusion-weighted images of the fetal abdomen were obtained on a 1.5-Tesla magnet. All fetal MRI diagnoses were compared with postnatal US findings, autopsy or surgical reports. RESULTS: Fetal MRI was able to confirm the sonographic findings in nine of 38 fetuses (23.7%), to provide additional information in 23 of 38 fetuses (60.6%), to exclude the US diagnosis in five cases (5.2%) and to change it in two cases (5.2%). It was not able to characterize a case of gastric duplication and a case of abdominal cystic lymphangioma (5.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal MRI can be used as a complementary imaging modality to US in prenatal evaluation of gastrointestinal anomalies and can be considered a valuable tool not only for confirming or excluding but also for providing additional information to fetal ultrasonographic findings.
Authors: David A Lazar; Rodrigo Ruano; Darrell L Cass; Kenneth J Moise; Anthony Johnson; Timothy C Lee; Christopher I Cassady; Oluyinka O Olutoye Journal: J Pediatr Surg Date: 2012-06 Impact factor: 2.545
Authors: L Breysem; H Bosmans; S Dymarkowski; D Van Schoubroeck; I Witters; J Deprest; P Demaerel; D Vanbeckevoort; C Vanhole; P Casaer; M Smet Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2003-04-15 Impact factor: 5.315
Authors: L Manganaro; S Savelli; A Francioso; M Di Maurizio; F Coratella; G Vilella; G Noia; A Giancotti; A Tomei; F Fierro; L Ballesio Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2009-09-05 Impact factor: 3.469
Authors: L S Bernardes; G Aksnes; J Saada; V Masse; C Elie; Y Dumez; S L Lortat-Jacob; A Benachi Journal: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol Date: 2009-10 Impact factor: 7.299