Foetal MRI for cardiovascular and thoracic diseases

Ultrasound is the main imaging technique used to assess foetal cardiovascular and thoracic diseases. Nonetheless, even when performed by senior physicians, it has some limitations, particularly in cases of suboptimal acoustic window. Foetal chest magnetic resonance imaging is a complementary technique for studying thoracic pathology. Due to its ability to provide tissue characterisation and its multiplanar capabilities, it can diagnose multiple lesions, assess the degree of involvement and detect possible associated anomalies, providing valuable information for management, prognosis and both prenatal and postnatal treatment. Foetal cardiac magnetic resonance is a novel diagnostic tool for studying the foetal heart and circulation and it is useful as an alternative imaging modality when ultrasound is inconclusive. Furthermore, it can provide useful anatomical and physiological information for establishing a prognosis or medical treatment and for planning invasive prenatal cardiovascular interventions.