MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF THE FETUS C ONTRIBUTION TO ANTENATAL DIAGNOSIS

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the fetus has been developed over the last 10 to 15 years. This new imaging technique cannot remplace ul trasonography which remains the key examination for antenatal diagnosi s but can add further improvements over ultrasonographic findings, par ticularly in evaluating the fetal brain, MRT of the fetus has thus bee n focused in this area, the main studies aiming at analyzing brain mal formations and at searching for ischemic or hemorrhagic lesions and po ssible gyration anomalies. Advances in data processing software and vo lume acquisition and the development of the echo-planar technique and T2-weighted sequences are currently under study. MRI of the fetus has thus progressed rapidly. It is however a long costly examination which may not be well tolerated by pregnant women. Currently, routine MRI o f the fetus is not possible, because of the requirement for specialize d facilities. This new technique, still in the evaluation phase, shoul d be studied using strict protocols reserved for centers specialized i n antenatal diagnosis.