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Published in: Neuroradiology 11/2009

01-11-2009 | Paediatric Neuroradiology

Fetal MRI in the evaluation of fetuses referred for sonographically suspected neural tube defects (NTDs): impact on diagnosis and management decision

Authors: Sahar N. Saleem, Ahmed-Hesham Said, Maged Abdel-Raouf, Eman A. El-Kattan, Maha Saad Zaki, Noha Madkour, Mostafa Shokry

Published in: Neuroradiology | Issue 11/2009

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Abstract

Introduction

We hypothesized that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can assess fetuses with sonographically (ultrasonography (US))-suspected neural tube defects (NTD) that might influence their diagnoses and management decision.

Methods

Institutional review board approval and informed consents were obtained to perform MRI for 19 fetuses referred with US-suspected NTD. Prenatal imaging findings were correlated with management decision, postnatal clinical, postnatal imaging, and pathology.

Results

Prenatal MRI correctly ruled out US diagnosis of cephalocele in a fetus. In the other 18 fetuses, MRI detected detailed topography and contents of NTD sacs in five, added central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities that were not apparent on US in three, and confirmed non-CNS findings in three fetuses. MRI changed diagnosis of 3/19 fetuses (15.8%), caused minor change in diagnosis of 5/19 (26.3%), and did not influence US diagnosis of 11/19 fetuses (57.9%). MRI findings changed/modified management decision in 21% of the fetuses.

Conclusion

Fetal MRI is an important adjunct to US in assessing NTD. It can identify topography and contents of sacs, add CNS and non-CNS findings, and influence management decision.
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Metadata
Title
Fetal MRI in the evaluation of fetuses referred for sonographically suspected neural tube defects (NTDs): impact on diagnosis and management decision
Authors
Sahar N. Saleem
Ahmed-Hesham Said
Maged Abdel-Raouf
Eman A. El-Kattan
Maha Saad Zaki
Noha Madkour
Mostafa Shokry
Publication date
01-11-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Neuroradiology / Issue 11/2009
Print ISSN: 0028-3940
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-009-0549-0

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