3-DIMENSIONAL MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF THE POSTMORTEM FETAL HEART

Five postmortem fetuses were scanned by magnetic resonance (MR) imagin g. Of eight three-dimensional (3D) data sets reconstructed on an MGI w orkstation, five sets demonstrated detailed 3D fetal cardiac structure s, and one depicted clear information regarding the disposition and co mpression of the heart and lungs in diaphragmatic hernia. This study h as shown the potential of 3D MR imaging in support of postmortem exami nation and for interactive visual teaching of the fetal cardiac struct ures. The new technique may eventually be of significance in prenatal detection of cardiac abnormalities with the development of fast real-t ime MR imaging.