Postmortem imaging of fetuses at early gestations: A comparison of microfocus computed tomography with postmortem magnetic resonance at 9.4 T and postmortem ultrasound

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the diagnostic performance of postmortem ultrasound (PMUS), 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and microfocus computed tomography (micro‐CT) for the examination of early gestation fetuses.MethodEight unselected fetuses (10–15 weeks gestational age) underwent at least 2 of the 3 listed imaging examinations. Six fetuses underwent 9.4 T MRI, four underwent micro‐CT and six underwent PMUS. All operators were blinded to clinical history. All imaging was reported according to a prespecified template assessing 36 anatomical structures, later grouped into five regions: brain, thorax, heart, abdomen and genito‐urinary.ResultsMore anatomical structures were seen on 9.4 T MRI and micro‐CT than with PMUS, with a combined frequency of identified structures of 91.9% and 69.7% versus 54.5% and 59.6 (p < 0.001; p < 0.05) respectively according to comparison groups. In comparison with 9.4 T MRI, more structures were seen on micro‐CT (90.2% vs. 83.3%, p < 0.05). Anatomical structures were described as abnormal on PMUS in 2.7%, 9.4 T MRI in 6.1% and micro‐CT 7.7% of all structures observed. However, the accuracy test could not be calculated because conventional autopsy was performed on 6 fetuses of that only one structure was abnormal.ConclusionMicro‐CT appears to offer the greatest potential as an imaging adjunct or non‐invasive alternative for conventional autopsies in early gestation fetuses.