Fetal Body Imaging: When is MRI Indicated?

Survey about the current use of fetal MRI in Spain

In June 2019 in Seville, at the first course in fetal MRI, endorsed by the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology (SERAM) and the Spanish Society of Pediatric Radiology (SERPE), the Spanish fetal MRI group was founded. To establish this group, a questionnaire was designed for radiologists dedicated to prenatal imaging in Spain and disseminated to the SERAM's members. The questions were related to the type of hospital, to MRI studies (magnetic field, gestational age, use of sedation, number of studies per year, proportion of fetal neuroimaging studies), and to teaching and research about fetal MRI. A total of 41 responses were received from radiologists in 25 provinces (88% working in public hospitals). Very few radiologists in Spain perform prenatal ultrasonography (7%) or prenatal CT. MRI is done in the second trimester (34%) or in the third trimester (44%). In 95% of centers, fetal brain MRI studies predominate. In 41% of the centers, studies can be done on 3 T MRI scanners. Maternal sedation is used in 17% of centers. The number of fetal MRI studies per year varies widely, being much higher in Barcelona and Madrid than in the rest of Spain.

European overview of current practice of fetal imaging by pediatric radiologists: a new task force is launched

A new task force dedicated to prenatal imaging was created in 2018 by the European Society of Pediatric Radiology. In order to establish a network of European prenatal imaging practice, we sent a questionnaire to radiologists practicing prenatal imaging in Europe. The questions were related to the type of institution, the local legislation for termination of pregnancy, the type of imaging modality and the following items regarding magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): magnetic field, gestational age at which it is performed, use of maternal sedation, number of examinations per year, proportion of cerebral versus body indications and proportion of repeated examinations. We collected responses from 20 European countries, 52 cities and 67 institutions (82% public). In most countries, the upper gestational age limit for termination of pregnancy is 24 weeks of gestation. In some countries, it is earlier and in other countries, there is no limit. Very few radiologists practice fetal ultrasonography and computed tomography. In some countries, fetal MRI is mainly performed before 24 weeks of pregnancy, while in others, it is mainly performed in the third trimester. Neurological indications are by far predominant and 30% of the institutions have access to a 3-tesla (T) unit for fetal MRI. Maternal sedation is rarely used. The number of scans per year is highly variable with an average of 140, which is not necessarily correlated to the size of the population.