Abstract
Objectives: To determine which non-biometric components of the ultrasound fetal survey can routinely be seen on a single fast acquisition magnetic resonance (MR) sequence aligned axial to the maternal uterus. Study design: The non-biometric components of the routine fetal ultrasound examination were applied retrospectively to the initial MR single-shot fast spin-echo acquisition aligned axial to the maternal uterus in the normal fetus to determine whether these parameters could be routinely evaluated. Nineteen women with anatomically normal fetuses had a total of 31 MR studies performed for fetal or maternal indications, either as part of an indicated examination or as part of a study protocol approved by the institutional review board. The images in these 31 MR studies were reviewed by two independent examiners who were blinded to the other's assessment; concordance was necessary for a component to be adequately assessed. The Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to determine the effect of gestational age and fetal lie on the ability to assess non-biometric parameters. Results: Assessment was possible in 85% of the non-biometric parameters. Cord insertion, external genitalia and the four-chamber view of the heart were most problematic. In only two cases was the four-chamber view of the heart identified. Longitudinal lie allowed significantly more parameters (82%) to be evaluated than transverse lie (45%) (p < 0.003). No difference based on gestational age was found. Conclusion: A single fast acquisition axial MR sequence can evaluate 85% of the non-biometric components of the fetal ultrasound survey. Fetal lie is an important confounder in the ability to resolve fetal anatomy with a single MR axial uterine acquisition.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 107-112 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 1 2003 |
Keywords
- Fetus
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- Ultrasound
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology