Ultrafast scan magnetic resonance in prenatal diagnosis

Objective: To determine whether magnetic resonance (MR) can give additional information in prenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies, when the ultras ound (US) analysis is not conclusive. Methods: Ultrafast MR scanning examin ed 39 pregnant women with 41 fetuses in whom US was suspicious of fetal con genital abnormalities. Two techniques were used namely (1) HASTE inversion recovery sequence and (2) FISP 2D. Results: Thirty- nine patients with 41 f etuses were referred for MR because of an equivocal US with regard to brain , spine, skeletal and miscellaneous anomalies. In 1 twin pregnancy, 1 co-tw in has not been examined with MRI because of its demise. In 22 of them, add itional information was obtained by MR. In 9 the MR was confirmative with t he US examination. Four were false negative, comparing with the postnatal d iagnosis. Th ree failed because of maternal claustrophobia and in 2 a diagn osis could not be made. From the 40 fetuses in this study, 38 were examined postnatally by MR, US, plain X-ray or autopsy was performed to confirm the prenatal diagnosis. Conclusion: The use of MRI in obstetrics has been limi ted, until recently. With fast MRI sequences it is not necessary to sedate the fetus. It is advisable in cases where US is equivocal concerning congen ital anomalies of the fetus to use MR with fast or ultrafast scan technique , especially when the central nervous system is concerned. Copyright (C) 20 00 S. Karger AG, Basel.