Diagnostic Yield of Post-Mortem Fetal Micro-CT for Thoracic Abnormalities
Ian C Simcock1,2,3, Audrey Lamouroux4,5,6, Susan C Shelmerdine1,2,3
1Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children Department of Radiology, London, UK.
Prenatal Diagnosis
|December 8, 2025
Summary
Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) effectively detects fetal thoracic anomalies, including cardiac and non-cardiac defects, even in cases of severe maceration. This imaging technique aids in understanding anomalies following early gestation pregnancy loss.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Fetal Pathology
- Anatomical Science
Background:
- Thoracic anomalies are a significant concern in fetal pathology.
- Accurate identification of these anomalies is crucial for understanding pregnancy loss.
- Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) offers high-resolution imaging for detailed anatomical assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize thoracic anomalies in fetuses using Micro-CT.
- To evaluate the efficacy of Micro-CT in detecting both cardiac and non-cardiac anomalies.
- To assess the impact of maceration on Micro-CT imaging quality for thoracic structures.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1200 Micro-CT scans from an unselected fetal cohort (2017-2024).
- Categorization of identified anomalies into cardiac and non-cardiac groups.
- In-depth analysis of specific cardiac and non-cardiac thoracic anomalies.
Main Results:
- Thoracic anomalies were detected in 13.1% (158/1200) of fetuses.
- A total of 250 anomalies were identified: 60% cardiac and 40% non-cardiac.
- Common cardiac defects included structural and septal defects; common non-cardiac anomalies involved fluid collections and wall defects. Imaging was successful in 98.8% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Micro-CT is a valuable tool for post-mortem imaging of fetal thoracic anomalies.
- The technique remains effective even in fetuses with severe maceration.
- It aids in the comprehensive evaluation of anomalies contributing to early gestation pregnancy loss.
