MRI IN OBSTETRICS - A SUPPLEMENTARY METHOD FOR ULTRASONOGRAPHY

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a complementary diagnos tic method was evaluated in a group of 36 complicated pregnancies duri ng the last trimester, Most of the examinations were carried out by tw o specific MRI sequences, the T-1-weighted gradient echo FLASH sequenc e (TR 120, TE 12) and the T-2-weighted fast-spin echo sequence (TR 200 0, TE 90), Information additional to that obtained by ultrasonic diagn osis was obtained by MRI in 16 of the 25 cases of foetal malformation and in 5 of the 11 cases with other obstetric problems, Foetal curariz ation was not necessary in most of the cases, A good MRI technique, fo r selected obstetric problems and when used in combination with detail ed antepartal ultrasonic examinations, can give useful diagnostic info rmation to an obstetrician.