EP06.18: Off‐line MRI‐US fusion imaging in fetal abnormalities: a new tool for education, reference and tele‐expertise examinations

Off-line MRI-US fusion imaging has proven feasible in the assessment of the brain throughout gestation. We aimed to assess the feasibility of using this multimodal method in cases of common fetal abnormalities. This could further be used for education, reference and telexpertise examinations. This is a prospective study as part of the LUMIERE protocol (NCT04142606). We included patients referred for fetal abnormalities at 16 to 36 weeks of gestation. Following parental consent, a standard fetal MRI protocol was performed on a 1.5T scanner, including T2 axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. Subsequently, 3D ultrasound imaging of the same anatomical district was obtained. Fusion images were generated using dedicated software (4D View). Multiple cerebral, thoracic, and abdominal pathologies were fused. Fusion imaging was feasible in 20 cases (70%). It allowed significantly enhanced diagnostic confidence in several cases with uncertain findings in either modality. It has also the potential to be used for tele-expertise and education, demonstrating the common findings on both US and MRI. MRI-US fusion imaging, utilising standard MRI sequences and 3D ultrasound volumes, is applicable for fetal abnormalities in clinical practice and offers several advantages. It enhances diagnostic confidence, overcomes technical limitations of individual techniques, and allows simultaneous evaluation of US and signal characteristics, as well as 3D anatomy, of complex lesions. Its added value for telexpertise and education should be evaluated. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.