MR imaging of the fetal brain

Pediatr Radiol. 2010 Jan;40(1):68-81. doi: 10.1007/s00247-009-1459-3. Epub 2009 Nov 24.

Abstract

Fetal MRI is clinically performed to evaluate the brain in cases where an abnormality is detected by prenatal sonography. These most commonly include ventriculomegaly, abnormalities of the corpus callosum, and abnormalities of the posterior fossa. Fetal MRI is also increasingly performed to evaluate fetuses who have normal brain findings on prenatal sonogram but who are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental abnormalities, such as complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies. This paper will briefly discuss the common clinical conditions imaged by fetal MRI as well as recent advances in fetal MRI research.

MeSH terms

  • Brain / embryology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain Diseases / congenital*
  • Brain Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*