open access

Vol 84, No 6 (2013)
ARTICLES
Get Citation

Prenatal MRI as a method of controlling fetal pathology

Jacek Zamłyński, Hanna Brągoszewska, Anna Romaniuk-Doroszewska, Renata Jaczyńska, Agnieszka Duczkowska, Monika Bekiesińska-Figatowska, Izabela Herman-Ducharska
DOI: 10.17772/gp/1601
·
Ginekol Pol 2013;84(6).

open access

Vol 84, No 6 (2013)
ARTICLES

Abstract

Background: It has been shown that MRI offers the possibility of more detailed assessment of fetal pathology than sonography. It is used not only to diagnose but also to follow up some prenatal diseases. It is a basis of in utero treatment and the tool of monitoring its efficacy. The purpose of the study was to present the authors’ experience with prenatal MRI as a method of follow-up of fetal pathology and of monitoring invasive fetal therapy. Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 31 fetuses that underwent two MRI examinations. The first exams were performed at the gestational age of 19-28 weeks (mean: 23.6 weeks), the follow-up between week 20 and 37 (mean: 30.5). The MRI examinations were performed using 1.5 T scanners. SSFSE/ T2-weighted images, TSE/ or GRE/T1-weighted images, DWI, FIESTA, EPIGRE were performed. Results: In 5 cases MRI allowed to exclude a suspected pathology: brain anomaly in a healthy fetus, septo-optic dysplasia in a healthy fetus, right-sided CDH in case of a left-sided pathology, pentalogy of Cantrell, lack of bladder in a fetus with a small, thick-walled bladder. In 4 cases an additional pathology was detected on MRI: CCAM/pulmonary sequestration with self-regression, cerebellar hypoplasia, rhombencephalosynapsis, tethered cord with syringohydromyelia. In 4 cases MRI was used just to follow-up and showed evolution of the disease in 2 cases: regression of intracerebral hemorrhage, progression of kidney disease. Finally, in 18 cases MRI was performed before and after an open fetal surgery of myelomeningocele showing good outcome in 10 cases and a wide spectrum of complications in 8 neonates: from edema of the transplant only in 4 to recurrent MC in 1. Conclusions: Maternal uterus constitutes a natural “incubator” for the fetus – it is easier and safer to perform diagnostic procedure in utero than in a seriously ill newborn. MRI is a method of choice in the diagnosis and of follow-up in cases of open fetal surgery.

Abstract

Background: It has been shown that MRI offers the possibility of more detailed assessment of fetal pathology than sonography. It is used not only to diagnose but also to follow up some prenatal diseases. It is a basis of in utero treatment and the tool of monitoring its efficacy. The purpose of the study was to present the authors’ experience with prenatal MRI as a method of follow-up of fetal pathology and of monitoring invasive fetal therapy. Material and Methods: The study group consisted of 31 fetuses that underwent two MRI examinations. The first exams were performed at the gestational age of 19-28 weeks (mean: 23.6 weeks), the follow-up between week 20 and 37 (mean: 30.5). The MRI examinations were performed using 1.5 T scanners. SSFSE/ T2-weighted images, TSE/ or GRE/T1-weighted images, DWI, FIESTA, EPIGRE were performed. Results: In 5 cases MRI allowed to exclude a suspected pathology: brain anomaly in a healthy fetus, septo-optic dysplasia in a healthy fetus, right-sided CDH in case of a left-sided pathology, pentalogy of Cantrell, lack of bladder in a fetus with a small, thick-walled bladder. In 4 cases an additional pathology was detected on MRI: CCAM/pulmonary sequestration with self-regression, cerebellar hypoplasia, rhombencephalosynapsis, tethered cord with syringohydromyelia. In 4 cases MRI was used just to follow-up and showed evolution of the disease in 2 cases: regression of intracerebral hemorrhage, progression of kidney disease. Finally, in 18 cases MRI was performed before and after an open fetal surgery of myelomeningocele showing good outcome in 10 cases and a wide spectrum of complications in 8 neonates: from edema of the transplant only in 4 to recurrent MC in 1. Conclusions: Maternal uterus constitutes a natural “incubator” for the fetus – it is easier and safer to perform diagnostic procedure in utero than in a seriously ill newborn. MRI is a method of choice in the diagnosis and of follow-up in cases of open fetal surgery.
Get Citation

Keywords

fetal anomaly, prenatal magnetic resonance imaging - MRI

About this article
Title

Prenatal MRI as a method of controlling fetal pathology

Journal

Ginekologia Polska

Issue

Vol 84, No 6 (2013)

Page views

781

Article views/downloads

6203

DOI

10.17772/gp/1601

Bibliographic record

Ginekol Pol 2013;84(6).

Keywords

fetal anomaly
prenatal magnetic resonance imaging - MRI

Authors

Jacek Zamłyński
Hanna Brągoszewska
Anna Romaniuk-Doroszewska
Renata Jaczyńska
Agnieszka Duczkowska
Monika Bekiesińska-Figatowska
Izabela Herman-Ducharska

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp. z o.o., ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk
tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail:  viamedica@viamedica.pl