Does 3T Fetal MRI Improve Image Resolution of Normal Brain Structures between 20 and 24 Weeks' Gestational Age?

Priego, Gema; Barrowman, Nicholas J.; Hurteau-Miller, J.; Miller, Elka

doi:10.3174/ajnr.a5251

Cited by 29 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…At least 3 sets of single-shot fast spin-echo T2-weighted images were acquired in each plane, with FOVs of 256 Â 256 or 320 Â 320. The multiplanar single-shot fast spin-echo images were processed using a previously validated fetal MR imaging processing pipeline, 25 which involved a section-to-volume reconstruction algorithm 26 that generated motion-corrected, intensity-normalized, super-resolution 3D volumes with 0.75-mm isotropic voxels in the scanner (world) coordinates and registration to a normative spatiotemporal MR imaging atlas of the fetal brain for review in standard anatomic planes. The reconstructed images were thus reviewed in standard anatomic planes to minimize variations in scoring due to slight differences in the orientation of the fetus or the position of the mother.…”

Section: Image Acquisition and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Isolated Congenital Heart Disease with Fetal Brain Maturation

Jaimes

Rofeberg

Stopp

et al. 2020

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Brain MRI of newborns with congenital heart disease show signs of immaturity relative to healthy controls. Our aim was to determine whether the semiquantitative fetal total maturation score can detect abnormalities in brain maturation in fetuses with congenital heart disease in the second and third trimesters. MATERIALS AND METHODS:We analyzed data from a prospective study of fetuses with and without congenital heart disease who underwent fetal MR imaging at 25-35 weeks' gestation. Two independent neuroradiologists blinded to the clinical data reviewed and scored all images using the fetal total maturation score. Interrater reliability was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient using the individual reader scores, which were also used to calculate an average score for each subject. Comparisons of the average and individual reader scores between affected and control fetuses and relationships with clinical variables were evaluated using multivariable linear regression.

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Section: Image Acquisition and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Association of Isolated Congenital Heart Disease with Fetal Brain Maturation

Jaimes

Rofeberg

Stopp

et al. 2020

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol

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“…In general, the signal-to-noise ratio at 3 Tesla is nearly two times as high as with 1.5 Tesla, which can either be used to improve image quality or to reduce scan time [13, 14]. This potential benefit of high-field MRI has also been proven for imaging the cerebellum in the late second trimester despite the challenge of additional artefacts [12]. In our own experience, fetal MRI at 3 Tesla enabled us to exclude more severe vermian hypoplasia with higher confidence already at 21 weeks‘gestation, thus, following ultrasound screening.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fetal MRI, switching to higher field strength requires adapted imaging sequences, handling of artefacts, and a limitation of the specific absorption rate to 4 W/kg for maternal whole-body exposure [11]. Superior image resolution at 3 Tesla as compared to 1.5 Tesla has recently been proven for a number of brain structures including the cerebellum between 20 and 24 weeks' gestation [12]. Follow-up imaging at a later gestational age most probably further increases diagnostic accuracy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Delayed fenestration of Blake’s pouch with or without vermian hypoplasia: fetal MRI at 3 tesla versus 1.5 tesla

Kau¹,

Birnbacher²,

Schwärzler³

et al. 2019

cerebellum ataxias

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Background Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mainly performed at standard field strength, plays a role in the classification of posterior fossa malformations. In the context of early second-trimester screening, upward rotation of the cerebellar vermis per se is usually compatible with a more favorable outcome than Dandy-Walker malformation and profound vermian hypoplasia. Delayed fenestration of Blake’s pouch may either mimic vermian hypoplasia by compression or be associated with it in individual cases. To increase specificity, there is a growing interest in the use of high-field MRI which is believed to be safe as long as the specific absorption rate is kept within accepted limits. We aim to illustrate its added value during the second and third trimester. Case presentation In the first case, fetal MRI at 1.5 Tesla was performed at 21 and 27 weeks’ gestation with sonographic follow up postnataly. In the second case, 3 Tesla MR images were acquired at 21 and 34 weeks’ gestation as well as in the neonatal period. Conclusions This pictorial case vignette supports the suggestion that mid-gestational MRI at 3 Tesla has the potential to exclude pronounced vermian hypoplasia with higher confidence than at 1.5 Tesla. However, the discrimination of mild hypoplasia from slight deformation of the cerebellar vermis will likely remain challenging.

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“…Therefore, we are unable to ascertain whether exam accuracy is superior using images acquired using 3 T scanners. In a study [ 7 ] performed to evaluate brain structures in fetuses imaged at 3 T compared to 1.5 T significantly better anatomic resolution of posterior fossa structure was obtained with the 3 T magnet. However, for the other structures assessed in the supratentorial compartment, there were no significant differences in images obtained with the 1.5 or 3 T magnets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some articles describe 3 T MRI for body fetal imaging, but data regarding the caveats of imaging the fetal brain are scarce [ 7 , 8 ] 3T MRI has promising results in terms of better depiction of small anatomic structures (like inner ear and posterior fossa), although some disadvantages as increased magnetic field heterogeneity and standing wave artifacts have been described. [ 7 , 8 ] The scarce literature on the specific application of 3 T MRI in the study of the fetal brain, in which encouraging results in terms of quality of imaging are balanced against inconveniences such as artifacts, prompted us to report our preliminary experience in cerebral fetal 3 T MRI. We used a 3-tiered approach to describe our experience: feasibility, time of acquisition, and possibility to establish a diagnosis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Magnetic resonance imaging of the fetal brain at 3 Tesla

et al. 2018

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To report our preliminary experience with cerebral fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a 3 Tesla (3T) scanner. We assessed feasibility, time of acquisition, and possibility to establish a diagnosis.Fifty-nine pregnant women had fetal MRI performed during the third trimester of pregnancy due to clinical or sonography concern of a central nervous system anomaly. No fetal or maternal sedation was used. The MRI protocol consisted of T2 turbo-spin-echo images in 3 planes of space. No T1-weighted images were performed. All images were analyzed by 2 pediatric neuroradiologists, who evaluated spatial resolution, artifacts, time of acquisition, and possibility to establish a diagnosis suspected by sonography.Examinations were performed safely for all patients. The images required longer time of acquisition (approximately 75 seconds for each plane in the space). The specific absorption rate was not exceeded in any fetus. Cerebral fetal MRI was normal in 22 cases. The spectrum of diagnostics included isolated ventriculomegaly, posterior fossa malformation, corpus callosum malformation, gyration anomalies, craniosynostosis, tuberous sclerosis, microcephaly, external hydrocephaly, midline arachnoid cyst, cerebral lesions, and persistent hyperplastic primitive vitreous.In our series, 3 T MRI of fetal brain was feasible and able to establish a diagnosis but required longer time of acquisition.

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Does 3T Fetal MRI Improve Image Resolution of Normal Brain Structures between 20 and 24 Weeks' Gestational Age?

Abstract: Both magnets depict cerebral and facial normal anatomic structures; however, our data indicates better anatomic detail on the 3T than on the 1.5T magnet.

Cited by 29 publications

References 24 publications

Association of Isolated Congenital Heart Disease with Fetal Brain Maturation

Association of Isolated Congenital Heart Disease with Fetal Brain Maturation

Delayed fenestration of Blake’s pouch with or without vermian hypoplasia: fetal MRI at 3 tesla versus 1.5 tesla

Magnetic resonance imaging of the fetal brain at 3 Tesla

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