EP05.20: Fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging: how it added to ultrasound diagnosis of fetal central nervous system anomalies

To assess the added value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the fetal brain to antenatal ultrasound in the diagnosis of fetal central nervous system (CNS) anomalies. Fetal brain MRI was done for 40 fetuses who were sonographically suspected or diagnosed to have CNS anomalies. The MRI was conducted with a 1.5-T magnet. Fetal images in the axial, sagittal and coronal planes were obtained either with balanced fast field echo (B-FFE) or single shot fast spin echo [SSFSE]. In cases where pregnancy continued and the fetus survived, the antenatal diagnosis was confirmed through postnatal neuroimaging using transcranial ultrasonography, CT or MRI. In cases of termination of pregnancy, stillbirth or neonatal death, the final diagnosis was confirmed, based on autopsy. The performed MRI confirmed the US finding, without additional information in 23 cases (57.5%), added an extra finding in 11 cases (27.5%), differentiated between 2 pathologies in 3 cases (7.5%) and changed diagnosis in 3 cases (7.5%). The overall diagnostic accuracy of US was 98.8% and of MRI was 99.6%. Ultrasound is the main stay in prenatal diagnosis, however MRI of the fetal brain might be a clinically valuable complement especially when ultrasound examination is inconclusive due to maternal obesity, severe oligohydramnios or in complicated cases with unclear diagnosis. 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.