MR imaging of non-CNS fetal abnormalities: A pictorial essay

The recent popularity of prenatal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been associated with the development of ultrafast MR imaging techniques such as the single-shot fast spin-echo sequence. However, the majority of previous reports have concerned the fetal central nervous system (CNS) and chest dis orders. MR imaging can demonstrate non-CNS fetal anatomy and pathologic con ditions clearly. With its excellent tissue contrast, MR imaging provides in formation that supplements that provided by ultrasonography (US), especiall y in cases of neck, chest, and gastrointestinal lesions. Because of its lar ge field of view, MR imaging allows evaluation of the relationship between a large lesion and adjacent structures. MR imaging should be considered if the diagnosis of a suspected non-CNS lesion is unclear at fetal US. MR imag ing plays an important complementary role to US in cases of non-CNS fetal l esions and will be further accepted for fetal imaging in the future.