Ziyan Sun, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Li-Ming Xia, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Chengyuan Wang, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To investigate the clinical value of three dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (3D-MRI) in displaying the normal and abnormal fetal colon.

Thirty-eight pregnant women (gestational age ranged from 19~37 weeks, with a mean of 28.5 weeks.) diagnosed or suspected of having fetal malformations underwent conventional prenatal US and MRI. sagittal and coronal SSFSE T2WI examinations by a 1.5 T GE superconducting MR scanner within 1~2 days after US examinations were performed. Three dimensionalmagnetic resonance colonography(3D-MRC) were performed with three dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo(3D-FSPGR).Volume rendering(VR), maximum intensity projection(MIP)、 multi-planar reconstruction(MPR), and MR virtual colonoscopy(MRVC）were employed in image post-processing on a dedicated workstation, the volume of normal colon between 19 weeks and 37weeks was measured. The MRI and US appearances of fetal malformations were compared to each other、autopsy, and follow-up results

The acquisition time and reconstruction time of 3D-MRC during a single breath-hold is 10～14 seconds and 5～10 minutes, respectively. The successful rate was up to 89.47%(34/38). Fetal colon showed high signal intensity on 3D-MRC, similar to the findings obtained by Barium enema in neonates. MPR、VR, and MRVC could clearly display normal colonic topography, haustra of colon, and flexures. The region of interest could be viewed from various directions by using MPR. Dilatation and stenosis of intestinal lumen were displayed by using MRVC. The range of colon volumes between 19 and 37 weeks was 5.1ml to 69.2 ml.The transverse diameter of colon during fetal period is lesser than 1.8cm.Colonic atresia (3 cases), congenital left diaphragmatic hernia (3 cases), and congenital magacolon(2 cases) as well as cloacal exstrophy (1 case) were detected and diagnosed by 3D-MRC.

3D-MRC is feasible in clinical practice.which is helpful for antepartum console and planning of fetal surgery.

3D-MRI sequences are useful for displaying and interpreting fetal colon anatomy in a wide spectrum of Clinical applications  

Sun, Z, Xia, L, Wang, C, Application of Three-dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detecting the Congenital Malformations of Fetal Colon.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11000259.html