Premium
The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prenatal diagnosis and evaluation of fetal tumors
Author(s) -
Yagel S.,
Nadjari S.,
Gomori M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2001.abs21-8.x
Subject(s) - medicine , tuberous sclerosis , radiology , magnetic resonance imaging , prenatal diagnosis , teratoma , ultrasound , hemangioma , fetus , lymphangioma , cyst , physical examination , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Objective: Fetal tumors are rare abnormalities, problematic to diagnose accurately by ultrasonography alone. In many cases precise diagnosis depends on advanced tissue characterization, difficult to accomplish with ultrasound. The recent advent of rapid MRI has made this modality more amenable to prenatal diagnosis. Our aim was to investigate the role of this modality in the diagnosis fetal tumors. Patients and methods: Thirteen cases with suspected fetal tumors underwent thorough early and/or late ultrasound examination, followed by rapid MRI. Postnatal MRI examination or postmortem (PM) pathology was performed as indicated. Results: Ultrasound examination follow by MRI revealed the following cases: brain tumor, 2; tuberous sclerosis, 1; intracerebral hemorrhage, 1; brain cyst, 1; cystic adenomatoid malformation CCAM, 2; pericardial teratoma, 1; intra thoracic hygroma, 1; sub diaphragmatic lung sequestration, 2; hemorrhagic ovarian cyst, 1; liver hemangioma, 1. Postnatal or PM examination confirmed prenatal rapid MRI diagnosis in 12/13 cases, while ultrasound diagnosis was confirmed in 7/13 cases. In 10/13 cases MRI examination was more accurate than ultrasound examination and significantly improved our prenatal evaluation of the findings, patient counseling and treatment. Conclusion: Rapid MRI plays an important role in the precise diagnosis of fetal tumors especially when tissue characterization is essential for the diagnosis.