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Matthew J, Uus A, De Souza L, Wright R, Fukami-Gartner A, Priego G, Saija C, Deprez M, Collado AE, Hutter J, Story L, Malamateniou C, Rhode K, Hajnal J, Rutherford MA. Craniofacial phenotyping with fetal MRI: a feasibility study of 3D visualisation, segmentation, surface-rendered and physical models. BMC Med Imaging 2024; 24:52. [PMID: 38429666 PMCID: PMC10905839 DOI: 10.1186/s12880-024-01230-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
This study explores the potential of 3D Slice-to-Volume Registration (SVR) motion-corrected fetal MRI for craniofacial assessment, traditionally used only for fetal brain analysis. In addition, we present the first description of an automated pipeline based on 3D Attention UNet trained for 3D fetal MRI craniofacial segmentation, followed by surface refinement. Results of 3D printing of selected models are also presented.Qualitative analysis of multiplanar volumes, based on the SVR output and surface segmentations outputs, were assessed with computer and printed models, using standardised protocols that we developed for evaluating image quality and visibility of diagnostic craniofacial features. A test set of 25, postnatally confirmed, Trisomy 21 fetal cases (24-36 weeks gestational age), revealed that 3D reconstructed T2 SVR images provided 66-100% visibility of relevant craniofacial and head structures in the SVR output, and 20-100% and 60-90% anatomical visibility was seen for the baseline and refined 3D computer surface model outputs respectively. Furthermore, 12 of 25 cases, 48%, of refined surface models demonstrated good or excellent overall quality with a further 9 cases, 36%, demonstrating moderate quality to include facial, scalp and external ears. Additional 3D printing of 12 physical real-size models (20-36 weeks gestational age) revealed good/excellent overall quality in all cases and distinguishable features between healthy control cases and cases with confirmed anomalies, with only minor manual adjustments required before 3D printing.Despite varying image quality and data heterogeneity, 3D T2w SVR reconstructions and models provided sufficient resolution for the subjective characterisation of subtle craniofacial features. We also contributed a publicly accessible online 3D T2w MRI atlas of the fetal head, validated for accurate representation of normal fetal anatomy.Future research will focus on quantitative analysis, optimizing the pipeline, and exploring diagnostic, counselling, and educational applications in fetal craniofacial assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Matthew
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
| | - Alena Uus
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Leah De Souza
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Robert Wright
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Abi Fukami-Gartner
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Gema Priego
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
- Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Carlo Saija
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Maria Deprez
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Alexia Egloff Collado
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jana Hutter
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Lisa Story
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Kawal Rhode
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jo Hajnal
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
| | - Mary A Rutherford
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Papaioannou G, Caro-Domínguez P, Klein WM, Garel C, Cassart M. Indications for magnetic resonance imaging of the fetal body (extra-central nervous system): recommendations from the European Society of Paediatric Radiology Fetal Task Force. Pediatr Radiol 2023; 53:297-312. [PMID: 36161506 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-022-05495-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The indications for fetal body MRI are amplifying because of the expanding possibilities of fetal and perinatal therapy. However, huge heterogeneity regarding the indications for fetal body MRI is seen among different European countries that is mostly related to local use of US, but also to local fetal MRI expertise and legislation on pregnancy termination. The purpose of this article is to summarize the precise indications for fetal MRI, excluding the central nervous system. MRI indications arise from the sonographic findings, based on the operator's experience and the various practices in the countries and institutions represented on the European Society of Paediatric Radiology Fetal Task Force. We also highlight the strengths and weaknesses of fetal US and MRI of the fetal body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Papaioannou
- Department of Pediatric Radiology, Mitera Maternity and Children's Hospital, 6 Erythrou Stavrou str, Maroussi 15123, Athens, Greece.
| | - Pablo Caro-Domínguez
- Pediatric Imaging Unit, Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Willemijn M Klein
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Catherine Garel
- Department of Radiology, Armand-Trousseau Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Marie Cassart
- Department of Radiology and Fetal Medicine, Iris South Hospitals, Brussels, Belgium
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