Value of pre- and postnatal magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of congenital central nervous system anomalies

Abstract

Fetal MRI and neonatal MRI of the central nervous system (CNS) are complementary tools that can help to accurately counsel and direct the management of children with anomalies of the central nervous system. Postnatal MRI can add to fetal MRI by allowing for monitoring of changes in the severity of disease, better delineation of a suspected prenatal anomaly, evaluation for secondary pathologies related to the primary diagnosis, and surgical management direction. In this review we discuss the roles of fetal and neonatal MRI in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital anomalies of the CNS through a series of case examples and how both are important in patient management.

Keywords: Anomaly; Brain; Central nervous system; Congenital; Fetus; Magnetic resonance imaging; Neonate; Spinal dysraphism; Spine.