Elisa Scola1, Giorgio Conte2,3, Giovanni Palumbo2, Sabrina Avignone2, Claudia Maria Cinnante2, Simona Boito4, Nicola Persico4, Tommaso Rizzuti5, Fabio Triulzi2,6. 1. Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy. elisa.scola@policlinico.mi.it. 2. Neuroradiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122, Milan, Italy. 3. Postgraduation School in Radiodiagnostics, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 'L. Mangiagalli', Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 5. Pathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy. 6. Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe normal foetal brain development with high resolution post-mortem MRI (PMMRI) of non-fixed foetal brains. METHODS: We retrospectively collected PMMRIs of foetuses without intracranial abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations studied after a termination of pregnancy due to extracranial abnormalities or after a spontaneous intrauterine death. PMMRIs were performed on a 3-T scanner without any fixation and without removing the brain from the skull. All PMMRIs were evaluated in consensus by two neuroradiologists. RESULTS: Our analysis included ten PMMRIs (median gestational age (GA): 21 weeks; range: 17-28 weeks). At 19 and 20 weeks of GA, the corticospinal tracts are recognisable in the medulla oblongata, becoming less visible from 21 weeks. Prior to 20 weeks the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) is more hypointense than surrounding deep grey nuclei; starting from 21 weeks the PLIC becomes isointense, and is hyperintense at 28 weeks. From 19-22 weeks, the cerebral hemispheres show transient layers: marginal zone, cortical plate, subplate, and intermediate, subventricular and germinal zones. CONCLUSION: PMMRI of non-fixed in situ foetal brains preserves the natural tissue contrast and skull integrity. We assessed foetal brain development in a small cohort of foetuses, focusing on 19-22 weeks of gestation. KEY POINTS: • Post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMRI) of non-fixed head is feasible. • PMMRI of unfixed in situ foetal brains preserves the natural tissue contrast. • PMMRI provide a good depiction of the normal foetal brain development. • PMMRI of unfixed in situ foetal brains preserves the skull integrity. • PMMRI pattern of foetal brain development at early gestational age is described.
PURPOSE: To describe normal foetal brain development with high resolution post-mortem MRI (PMMRI) of non-fixed foetal brains. METHODS: We retrospectively collected PMMRIs of foetuses without intracranial abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations studied after a termination of pregnancy due to extracranial abnormalities or after a spontaneous intrauterine death. PMMRIs were performed on a 3-T scanner without any fixation and without removing the brain from the skull. All PMMRIs were evaluated in consensus by two neuroradiologists. RESULTS: Our analysis included ten PMMRIs (median gestational age (GA): 21 weeks; range: 17-28 weeks). At 19 and 20 weeks of GA, the corticospinal tracts are recognisable in the medulla oblongata, becoming less visible from 21 weeks. Prior to 20 weeks the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) is more hypointense than surrounding deep grey nuclei; starting from 21 weeks the PLIC becomes isointense, and is hyperintense at 28 weeks. From 19-22 weeks, the cerebral hemispheres show transient layers: marginal zone, cortical plate, subplate, and intermediate, subventricular and germinal zones. CONCLUSION: PMMRI of non-fixed in situ foetal brains preserves the natural tissue contrast and skull integrity. We assessed foetal brain development in a small cohort of foetuses, focusing on 19-22 weeks of gestation. KEY POINTS: • Post-mortem magnetic resonance imaging (PMMRI) of non-fixed head is feasible. • PMMRI of unfixed in situ foetal brains preserves the natural tissue contrast. • PMMRI provide a good depiction of the normal foetal brain development. • PMMRI of unfixed in situ foetal brains preserves the skull integrity. • PMMRI pattern of foetal brain development at early gestational age is described.
Entities:
Keywords:
Autopsy; Brain; Foetus; Magnetic resonance imaging; Post-mortem
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