Fetal diastematomyelia associated with vertebral malformation: ultrasound, MRI, and pathomorphological findings

Abstract

Using a specific clinical example, we demonstrate the ability of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose associated spine and spinal cord malformations in the group of spinal dysraphisms. Thus, the original ultrasound (US) and MRI results for the affected fetus at week 21 are illustrated and described in detail. The paucity of reports of prenatal MR-semiotic findings of split cord malformation comparing US and pathomorphological findings at a relatively early gestational age makes the present case unique and instructive. The outstanding capability of MRI to diagnose spinal pathologies indicates the necessity of including prenatal MRI in the diagnostic algorithm to determine the severity of the lesions and the appropriate management during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early postnatal period.

The Lower Limb Movements of the Fetus in Uterus: A Narrative Review

“…Another study of fetuses of 29 spinal muscular atrophy carrier couples at 11–14 weeks by using two-dimensional transabdominal ultrasound demonstrated that isolated lower limb movements were presented in all of them, while general movements and startle were observed in large majority of cases [ 12 ]. Weak leg movements were observed in a fetus diagnosed with diastematomyelia at 21 weeks by using dynamic-balanced-fast-filled-echo sequences cine MRI [ 41 ]. Another case study of a fetus with Déjerine–Sottas syndrome at 33 weeks found that the involvement, amplitude, and speed of the general movements and isolated leg movement were reduced [ 42 ].…”

Fetal magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of spinal cord neural tube defects: A prospective study

“…The reason is that MRI of the bone is unclear, and ultrasound imaging of the fetal spinal ossification center is clearer ( 26 , 27 ). Thus, we hypothesized that prenatal ultrasound in type I longitudinal crack on spinal deformity has more advantages than fetal MRI, which are reflected in the study of Korostyshevskaya et al ( 28 ), but as a result of the longitudinal crack on the incidence of spinal cord malformation, the number of fetuses is less, with errors in the study results. This allows us to continue to collect late cases for verification.…”