Heron Werner MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Maene Marcondes, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Taisa Davaus Gasparetto MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Pedro Daltro MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Emerson L. Gasparetto MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Edson Marchiori MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stuart Campbell, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The aim of this work is to demonstrate fetal abnormalities through the 3D reconstruction of ultrasonography (US) as well as magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, correlating such morphological alterations with postnatal findings.

A total of 25 fetuses were studied, between 20 and 38 weeks (average of 28.5 weeks), including 3 twins. The fetus had a suspicion of fetal abnormalities by US and underwent 3D image reconstruction by both US and MRI at the same day. All the abnormalities suspected were confirmed by postnatal findings. The 3D reconstructions were performed on VOLUSON 730 (GE, Austria) with a 4-8 MHz transducer. MRI was performed on a 1.5 T machine (Siemens Magnetom Avanto, Germany) with the sequence 3D True FISP (TR/TE = 3.16/1.4; isotropic voxel dimensions of 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm x 1.5 mm). The 3D reconstruction was manually made using an interactive pen tablet (Syngo Multimodality 2009B, Germany).

The 3D image reconstruction using US identified 49 (91%) alterations and using MR imaging identified 54 abnormalities (100%). The skull and face were the fetal regions with the highest number of concordant findings between the two methods analyzed with a total of 22 (44%) described alterations. Five (9%) additional alterations were only identified using MR 3D reconstruction and had a postnatal confirmation.

3D MR imaging reconstruction is superior in detecting fetal abnormalities in relation to 3D US reconstruction. Although MRI provides valuable information in cases of suspected complex fetal anomalies or where US results might be misleading or incomplete, it should not replace US in the routine screening of the fetus or in the diagnosis of any fetal anomalies.

3D MR imaging reconstruction is a useful technique that well demonstrates fetal malformations helping in the treatment planning and parent counseling.

Werner, H, Marcondes, M, Gasparetto, T, Daltro, P, Gasparetto, E, Marchiori, E, Campbell, S, Three-dimensional Fetal Reconstruction Using Ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  Radiological Society of North America 2011 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 2, 2011 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2011/11008537.html