MRI of the Fetal Brain

Clin Neuroradiol. 2015 Oct:25 Suppl 2:189-96. doi: 10.1007/s00062-015-0413-z. Epub 2015 Jun 11.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the possibilities for fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of the fetal brain. For brain pathologies, fetal MRI is usually performed when an abnormality is detected by previous prenatal ultrasound, and is, therefore, an important adjunct to ultrasound. The most commonly suspected brain pathologies referred to fetal MRI for further evaluation are ventriculomegaly, missing corpus callosum, and abnormalities of the posterior fossa. We will briefly discuss the most common indications for fetal brain MRI, as well as recent advances.

Keywords: 3T; Fetal MRI; Fetal brain; Postmortem MRI.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain Diseases / pathology*
  • Fetal Diseases / pathology*
  • Fetal Growth Retardation / pathology
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Patient Positioning / methods*
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / methods*