Fetal MRI: A pictorial essay

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pediatric Radiology

Background:

• Ultrasonography (USG) is the standard for prenatal fetal assessment.
• Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used as a complementary tool.
• Advancements in ultrafast sequences have enhanced fetal MRI capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To illustrate the utility of fetal MRI in diagnosing a wide range of fetal structural abnormalities.
• To highlight how fetal MRI aids in confirming or excluding suspected conditions identified by USG.
• To demonstrate the impact of fetal MRI on pregnancy management and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Pictorial essay format.
• Review of fetal MRI scans demonstrating various structural abnormalities.
• Inclusion of central nervous system, thoracic, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and miscellaneous anomalies.
• Coverage of anomalies in twin gestations and placental abnormalities.

Main Results:

• Fetal MRI effectively detects and characterizes diverse fetal structural abnormalities.
• MRI provides crucial information for confirming or excluding suspected conditions.
• The technique aids in identifying additional abnormalities not seen on USG.
• Examples include central nervous system, thoracic, and abdominal anomalies, as well as twin and placental issues.

Conclusions:

• Fetal MRI is a valuable adjunct to USG in antenatal diagnosis.
• Accurate fetal anomaly detection with MRI optimizes perinatal management and pregnancy outcomes.
• The pictorial essay provides a comprehensive overview of fetal MRI applications for structural abnormalities.