[Fetal MRI of pathological brain development]

Radiologe. 2006 Feb;46(2):112-9. doi: 10.1007/s00117-005-1313-z.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Because of the superior tissue contrast, high spatial resolution, and multiplanar capabilities, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can depict fetal brain pathologies with high accuracy. Pathological fetal brain development may result from malformations or acquired conditions. Differentiation of these etiologies is important with respect to managing the actual pregnancy or counseling future pregnancies. As a widened ventricular system is a common hallmark of both maldevelopment and acquired conditions, it may cause problems in the differential diagnosis. Fetal MRI can provide detailed morphological information, which allows refinement of the diagnosis of ventricular enlargement in a large number of cases. Systematic work-up of morphological details that may be recognized on MR images provides an approach for achieving a correct diagnosis in cases of ventricle enlargement.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / abnormalities*
  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain Diseases / congenital*
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Fetal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / methods*