Seventeen years of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging at the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw

Added value of fetal MRI as a complementary method to antenatal ultrasound in the assessment of non-CNS fetal congenital anomalies

Background

Birth defects and congenital anomalies are different words used to describe developmental abnormalities that occur at birth. Congenital anomalies diagnosis during pregnancy is a difficult topic to which ultrasonography has made significant contributions. The availability of a generally safe, independent technique in the evaluation of prenatal anomalies would be a welcomed clinical and scientific alternative. Ultrasound (US) is the predominant modality for evaluating disorders related to fetus and pregnancy. In most situations, this examination by a professional operator offers sufficient information about fetal morphology, surroundings, and well-being. The abnormalities revealed by ultrasound can be subtle or inconclusive at times. MRI has been demonstrated to be useful in such circumstances in various studies. So the effective use of fetal MRI in the evaluation of non-CNS abnormalities of the body is a reason for adopting fetal MRI as an adjunct to US in obstetric imaging. This study aimed to examine the role of fetal MRI as a complementary method to the antenatal US in assessing non-CNS anomalies and how it changed or modified the diagnosis of anomalies.

Results

By analyzing the data of 30 pregnant females with fetal non-CNS congenital anomalies, the diagnostic accuracy of prenatal ultrasound alone in the detection of congenital anomalies was 76%, with a sensitivity of about 76%. And diagnostic accuracy of MRI alone was 96.6%, with a sensitivity of approximately 96.6%. Moreover, the diagnostic accuracy of combined prenatal US and prenatal MRI in the detection of congenital anomalies was 100%, with sensitivity about 100% and PPV about 100%.

Conclusion

Fetal MRI raises confidence in non-CNS malformation assessment. Compared to US, MRI overcomes many of the obstacles faced by the antenatal US. MRI is superior to the US in refining, changing, or adding more diagnostic information about the disease.

Incidence, follow-up, and postnatal clinical progress of children with central nervous system anomalies on fetal MRI

OBJECTIVE

MRI is increasingly employed to assess intrauterine fetal anomalies. Central nervous system (CNS) anomalies are common structural conditions that warrant evaluation with fetal MRI and subsequent prenatal consultation with a pediatric neurosurgeon. As the use of fetal MRI increases, there is greater impetus to understand the most common CNS structural anomalies diagnosed in utero, as well as their natural histories.

METHODS

The authors performed a single-center retrospective review of fetal MRI evaluations performed between January 2012 and December 2020. Children who underwent both prenatal and postnatal neurosurgical evaluations of CNS anomalies were included. Specific CNS anomalies on fetal MRI, associated extra-CNS findings, and suspicion for genetic abnormality or syndromes were noted. Postnatal clinical status and interventions were assessed.

RESULTS

Between January 2012 and December 2020, a total of 469 fetal MRI evaluations were performed; of these, 114 maternal-fetal pairs had CNS anomalies that warranted prenatal consultation and postnatal pediatric neurosurgical follow-up. This cohort included 67 male infants (59%), with a mean ± SD follow-up of 29.8 ± 25.0 months after birth. Fetal MRI was performed at 27.3 ± 5.8 weeks of gestational age. The most frequently reported CNS abnormalities were ventriculomegaly (57%), agenesis or thinning of the corpus callosum (33%), Dandy-Walker complex (DWC) (21%), neuronal migration disorders (18%), and abnormalities of the septum pellucidum (17%). Twenty-one children (18%) required neurosurgical intervention at a mean age of 2.4 ± 3.7 months. The most common surgical conditions included myelomeningocele, moderate to severe ventriculomegaly, encephalocele, and arachnoid cyst. Corpus callosum agenesis or thinning was associated with developmental delay (p = 0.02) and systemic anomalies (p = 0.05). The majority of prenatal patients referred for DWC had Dandy-Walker variants that did not require surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common conditions for prenatal neurosurgical assessment were ventriculomegaly, corpus callosum anomaly, and DWC, whereas the most common surgical conditions were myelomeningocele, hydrocephalus, and arachnoid cyst. Only 18% of prenatal neurosurgical consultations resulted in surgical intervention during infancy. The majority of referrals for prenatal mild ventriculomegaly and DWC were not associated with developmental or surgical sequelae. Patients with corpus callosum abnormalities should be concurrently referred to a neurologist for developmental assessments.

Fetal magnetic resonance imaging of lumbar spine development in vivo: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to describe MR imaging appearances of the fetal lumbar spine in vivo at different gestational ages (GAs).

METHODS

This retrospective study was approved by the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. We collected MR images and clinical data of 93 fetuses in our hospital. All the MR images were obtained by 3-T MR. All had the mid-sagittal plane of steady state free precession sequence (Trufi) of the lumbar spine, which could show the lumbar vertebra and conus medullaris (CM). Regression analysis was made between GA and heights of lumbar vertebral body ossification center (LVBOC), lengths of LVBOC, and heights of intervertebral gap (IVG).

RESULTS

There were good linear correlations between the heights of LVBOC and GA (P < 0.001), lengths of LVBOC and GA (P < 0.001), and heights of IVG and GA (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We showed the different development of each LVBOC and IVG which caused the difference of the shape of LVBOC and IVG.

Fetal body MRI for fetal and perinatal management

Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a valuable adjunct to ultrasound (US) in diagnosing fetal abnormalities. This review is intended to highlight the contribution of MRI in parental counselling and perinatal treatment. A state-of-the-art fetal MRI protocol with experts of maternal-fetal medicine present in the MRI suite allows emphasis on patient-centred care and maximises therapeutic options.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the female pelvis after Cesarean section: a pictorial review

The rate of Cesarean sections (C-sections) in Poland increased from 21.7% in 2001 to 43.85% in 2017 even though the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians highlights the negative consequences of C-section for both mother and child and recommends to make every possible effort to reduce its percentage, following the World Health Organization recommendations. There is a long list of possible complications related to the uterine scar after C-section, including uterine scar dehiscence, uterine rupture, abdominal and pelvic adhesions, uterine synechiae, ectopic pregnancy, anomalous location of the placenta, placental invasion, and—rarely—vesicouterine or uterocutaneous fistulas. Ultrasound (US) remains the first-line modality; however, its strong operator- and equipment dependence and other limitations require further investigations in some cases. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the second-line tool which is supposed to confirm, correct, or complete the sonographic diagnosis thanks to its higher tissue resolution and bigger field of view. This article will discuss the spectrum of C-section complications in the MR image-rich form and will provide a systematic discussion of the possible pathology that can occur, showing comprehensive anatomical insight into the pelvis after C-section thanks to MRI that facilitates clinical decisions.