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Signal intensity changes of the fetal liver on MRI in‐phase and out‐of‐phase sequence
Author(s) -
Li Xiaobing,
Brugger Peter C.,
Huang Min,
Kasprian Gregor,
Li Hong,
Bettelheim Dieter,
Prayer Daniela
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.4075
Subject(s) - fetus , spleen , gestational age , liver lobe , gestation , medicine , endocrinology , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Objective To study signal intensity (SI) of the fetal liver by MRI in‐phase and out‐of‐phase over gestational age (GA). Methods A total of 91 pregnant women from 19 to 38 gestational weeks were imaged using MRI. Liver‐to‐spleen SI ratios of the right and left fetal liver lobes on in‐phase and out‐of‐phase were measured, calculated, and compared with each other. Curves of liver‐to‐spleen SI ratio of the right and left liver lobe were plotted by GA. Results Liver‐to‐spleen SI ratio of the right lobe on in‐phase was different from that of the left liver lobe ( t = 3.95; p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference was also found for out‐of‐phase SI ratios ( t = 3.69; p < 0.001). Curves of liver‐to‐spleen SI ratio of the fetal liver on in‐phase and out‐of‐phase showed changes against GA. Conclusion Liver‐to‐spleen SI ratio is different between the right and left liver lobe, which probably results from the different blood supply. Curves of liver‐to‐spleen SI ratios between 19 to 38 gestational weeks reflect the changes of decreasing function of blood production by fetal liver. In‐phase and out‐of‐phase may have clinical use in the early detection of disordered fetal growth and metabolism. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.