Lucia Manganaro MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sara Savelli, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Marinella Carluccio, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Romolo Di Iorio, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maurizio Anceschi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jacopo Tesei MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Laura Ballesio MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess the ability of ultrafast obstetric magnetic resonance imaging to visualize central nervous system abnormalities.

30 fetuses with central nervous system abnormalities were evaluated with obstetric Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. The mean gestational age was 24 weeks (range, 17-36 weeks). Every patients underwent multiplanar study with T2-weighted HASTE 90, true fisp and colangiographic sequences. According to the ultrasonographic question, also T1-weighted flash2D breath hold sequences with fat suppression were used.

In all cases, MR imaging helped confirm sonographically suspected or detected central nervous system disorders, demonstrating a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%. In 3 cases MR imaging provided additional information about associated abnormalities that were not evident at fetal ultrasonography: 1 fetus had a 6-mm neural tube defect, 1 a complete agenesis of the corpus callosum and 1 a lissenencephaly.

Obstetric MR imaging is an important tool for the evaluation of complex fetal central nervous system pathologies as its high spatial resolution and multiplanar capabilities provides a precise diagnosis of location and severity of most of the cerebral anomalies, particularly when assessing abnormalities in cerebral myelination, migration and sulcation.

To assess the ability of ultrafast obstetric magnetic resonance imaging to visualize central nervous system abnormalities.

30 fetuses with central nervous system abnormalities were evaluated with obstetric Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. The mean gestational age was 24 weeks (range, 17-36 weeks). Every patients underwent multiplanar study with T2-weighted HASTE 90, true fisp and colangiographic sequences. According to the ultrasonographic question, also T1-weighted flash2D breath hold sequences with fat suppression were used.

In all cases, MR imaging helped confirm sonographically suspected or detected central nervous system disorders, demonstrating a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%. In 3 cases MR imaging provided additional information about associated abnormalities that were not evident at fetal ultrasonography: 1 fetus had a 6-mm neural tube defect, 1 a complete agenesis of the corpus callosum and 1 a lissenencephaly.

Obstetric MR imaging is an important tool for the evaluation of complex fetal central nervous system pathologies as its high spatial resolution and multiplanar capabilities provides a precise diagnosis of location and severity of most of the cerebral anomalies, particularly when assessing abnormalities in cerebral myelination, migration and sulcation.

Manganaro, L, Savelli, S, Carluccio, M, Di Iorio, R, Anceschi, M, Tesei, J, Ballesio, L, Obstetric Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Central Nervous System.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4417981.html