Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Fetal Mouse Cardiovascular Imaging Using a High-frequency Ultrasound 30/45MHZ System
Published on: May 5, 2018
Qualitative Assessment of Foetal Lung Size in Left Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Using Ultrasound and MRI: A
Shiri Shinar1, Dilkash Kajal2, Sarah Johnson2
1Ontario Fetal Centre, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Objective:
To evaluate the reliability of qualitative foetal lung size assessments on ultrasound (US) and MRI in left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and their correlation with quantitative metrics and neonatal mortality.
Design:
Retrospective cohort study.
Setting:
Single tertiary center, 2008-2020.
Population:
A total of 103 cases of prenatally diagnosed isolated left CDH underwent postnatal active care.
Methods:
Two independent reviewers performed qualitative foetal lung size assessments on US and MRI. Interrater agreement was assessed, and correlations were determined between qualitative assessments, quantitative metrics (observed-to-expected lung-to-head ratio [o/e LHR] and observed-to-expected total Foetal lung volume [o/e TFLV]), and neonatal mortality.
Main Outcome Measures:
Interrater agreement and correlation between qualitative and quantitative assessments of lung size and neonatal mortality.
Results:
A total of 74 cases with both US and MRI imaging were included. Interrater agreement for qualitative lung size assessment was strong for US (weighted kappa: 0.80, 95% CI 0.68-0.93) and moderate for MRI (Cohen's kappa: 0.48, 95% CI 0.30-0.66). Both modalities showed a strong correlation between qualitative and quantitative lung size assessments. On US, qualitative and quantitative assessments had similar associations with neonatal mortality (Spearman's correlation: 0.44 for each reviewer vs. 0.49). On MRI, quantitative metrics correlated more strongly with neonatal mortality than qualitative assessment (Cramér's V: 0.44 vs. 0.34-0.35).
Conclusions:
Qualitative foetal lung size assessment, by US more so than MRI, is a reliable and reproducible tool that correlates with established quantitative metrics and neonatal mortality. These findings support its role as a complementary method for prenatal risk stratification in left CDH.
More Related Videos
06:15Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
05:56Author Spotlight: Enhancing Diagnostic Strategies and Biomarker Development for Comprehensive Lung Function Analysis
Published on: August 9, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI