Navigating the spectrum: a comprehensive approach to fetal lung abnormalities in ultrasound and magnetic resonance...

Congenital lung abnormalities are commonly encountered in the recent era of multi-modality fetal imaging. Congenital lung abnormalities encompass a diverse range of developmental disorders affecting the lung parenchyma, airways, and vascular structures. The anomalies, such as congenital pulmonary airway malformations (CPAM), bronchopulmonary sequestration, and congenital lobar overinflation (CLO), can present with varying degrees of severity, from asymptomatic cases to life-threatening respiratory distress. Ultrasound (US) plays a crucial role in the prenatal detection of these abnormalities, providing real-time imaging and facilitating early diagnosis and management planning. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), on the other hand, provides detailed morphological insights, particularly for complex cases. Its ability to visualize soft tissue structures and vascular anomalies without ionizing radiation makes it an indispensable tool in fetal and pediatric imaging. The combined use of US and MRI enhances diagnostic accuracy for fetuses with congenital lung abnormalities. These modalities continue to evolve, offering promising advancements in the understanding and management of these conditions. In this review article, we present a spectrum of common and uncommon congenital lung abnormalities, along with their typical imaging findings in US and MRI, and an approach to diagnosis.