Magnetic resonance imaging in fetal anomalies: What does it add to 3D and 4D US?

The objective of our study is to evaluate the contribution of adding MRI findings to sonographic data when assessing fetal anomalies and to determine how this addition may affect the management of pregnancy.

We prospectively examined 26 fetuses who had sonographically suspected congenital anomalies over a period of 1 year. 2D/3D and 4D ultrasound, Doppler and magnetic resonant imaging was done for all patients. MRI was done within 1 week following US examination. The maternal age range was 18-39 years. The gestational age range was 15-38 weeks (mean age=29 weeks). Ultrasound and magnetic resonance findings were compared together.

We reported different types of congenital anomalies including eight cases of isolated central nervous system anomalies, four abdominal, five musculoskeletal anomalies, seven cases of renal anomalies and two cases of Meckel Gruber syndrome. MRI and sonography showed concordant findings in 18 cases. MRI changed the diagnosis in five cases and provided additional information in three cases. Ultrasound was superior to magnetic resonance imaging in three cases.

Our results showed that fetal MR imaging can be used as a complementary modality to US in diagnosing fetal abnormality in which US findings are inconclusive or equivocal.