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Diffusion-weighted MR imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient of the normal fetal lung: preliminary experience
Lucia Manganaro1, Anna Perrone, Simona Sassi
1Department of Radiological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
Prenatal Diagnosis
|June 21, 2008
Summary
Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values significantly correlate with fetal lung maturation during gestation. This finding establishes ADC as a potential new biomarker for assessing lung development in utero.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Fetal Development
- Radiology
Background:
- Assessing fetal lung maturity is crucial for determining optimal timing of delivery.
- Current methods for evaluating lung development have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and normal lung maturation during gestation.
- To establish potential reference values for ADC as indicators of fetal lung development.
Main Methods:
- The study included 50 pregnant women with normal fetal lung development (gestational age 18-36 weeks).
- T2-weighted sequences, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and ADC maps were used for pulmonary tissue analysis via magnetic resonance (MR).
- Pearson correlation was employed to relate ADC values to gestational age.
Main Results:
- ADC values ranged from 1.2 microm(2)/ms at 18 weeks to 3.9 microm(2)/ms at 36 weeks' gestation.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between ADC values and gestational age (Pearson correlation = 0.816).
Conclusions:
- Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values show a strong correlation with gestational age.
- Increasing alveolar fluid secretion and angiogenesis contribute to this correlation.
- ADC represents a promising new parameter for evaluating fetal lung maturity.
