Title:Prenatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging helps Discover Cerebellar Dysplasia or
Malformations in Foetuses
Volume: 20
Author(s): Fei Yu, Le Fu, Chengjie Xu, Jue Wang, Xiaowei Huang, Guofu Zhang and He Zhang*
Affiliation:
- Department of Radiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
Keywords:
Foetus, Magnetic resonance imaging, Cerebellum, Foetal malformation, Parental diagnosis, Foetal brain.
Abstract:
Objective:
This study aimed to characterize and assess the diagnostic value of prenatal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in detecting fetal cerebellar
hypoplasia/dysplasia and developmental malformations.
Methods:
Reports of suspected intracranial abnormalities were retrospectively collected on ultrasound screening (US), and MR images of fetuses were
reviewed at our institution over a 5-year period on picture archiving and communication system (PACS) servers. Two experienced radiologists
recorded major abnormalities and coexisting abnormalities at the reading of the census. The results of the MRI were compared against the US in
each case.
Results:
For prenatal MR imaging, we enlisted a total of 121 patients (mean gestational week, 24.5 ± 4.7 weeks). This included 28 cases with normal
findings of MR imaging, 62 cases with findings of cerebellar hypoplasia or dysplasia, and the remaining 31 cases with other abnormities findings.
Cerebral malformations cases included agenesis of the corpus callosum, cerebral hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, holoprosencephaly,
ventriculomegaly, and brainstem/gyri malformation. Cerebellar abnormalities included vermis absence, cerebellar tonsil hernia, Dandy-Walker
malformation, Blake’s pouch cysts, arachnoid cysts, and intracranial hemorrhage. Other systemic malformation cases included tethered cord
syndromes (9 cases), cleft lip and palate (1 case), club foot (1 case), and cardiac malformation (1 case). In 12 cases (24.5%), compared to the US,
MR imaging proved the value of confirming the diagnosis and/or even yielded more findings on abnormalities.
Conclusion:
Prenatal MR imaging can better visualize systemic malformations coexisting with cerebellar abnormalities. MR imaging, a complementary means
to the US, can aid in prenatal counseling and treatment selection for term delivery.
