Skip to main content

Methods of Fetal MRI

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Fetal MRI

Part of the book series: Medical Radiology ((Med Radiol Diagn Imaging))

Abstract

Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) differs in many respects from a postnatal MRI study. The operator has no influence on the position of the fetus, only by proper positioning and repositioning of the surface coil, and/or the pregnant woman, may optimal imaging conditions be achieved. Without using sedation, fetal movements and positional changes make fetal MRI a sort of interactive imaging, with the goal being to acquire a series of continuous, correctly oriented images as quickly as possible. As structures to be imaged are very small, high-quality images are essential for depicting detailed anatomy and pathology. Therefore, a balance between resolution, field of view, slice thickness, and acquisition time must be found. In addition to T2-weighted sequences, several ultrafast sequences are now available that can provide additional information about specific organs or pathologies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Baldoli C, Righini A, Parazzini C, Scotti G, Triulzi F (2002) Demonstration of acute ischemic lesions in the fetal brain by diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. Ann Neurol 52:243–246

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cannie M, Jani JC, De Keyzer F, Devlieger R, Van Schoubroeck D, Witters I, Marchal G, Dymarkowski S, Deprest JA (2006) Fetal body volume: use of MR imaging to quantify relative lung volume in fetuses suspected of having pulmonary hypoplasia. Radiology 241:847–853

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chaumoitre K, Colavolpe N, Shojai R, Sarran A, D’ Ercole C, Panuel M (2007) Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) determination in normal and pathological fetal kidneys. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 29:22–31

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clifton MS, Joe BN, Zektzer AS, Kurhanewicz J, Vigneron DB, Coakley FV, Nobuhara KK, Swanson MG (2006) Feasibility of magnetic resonance spectroscopy for evaluating fetal lung maturity. J Pediatr Surg 41:768–773

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ehrström C (1984) Circadian rhythm of fetal movements. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 63:539–541

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fenton BW, Lin CS, Ascher S, Macedonia C (2000) Magnetic resonance spectroscopy to detect lecithin in amniotic fluid and fetal lung. Obstet Gynecol 95:457–460

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Girard N, Fogliarini C, Viola A, Confort-Gouny S, Fur YL, Viout P, Chapon F, Levrier O, Cozzone P (2006a) MRS of normal and impaired fetal brain development. Eur J Radiol 57:217–225

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Girard N, Gouny SC, Viola A, Le Fur Y, Viout P, Chaumoitre K, D’Ercole C, Gire C, Figarella-Branger D, Cozzone PJ (2006b) Assessment of normal fetal brain maturation in utero by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Magn Reson Med 56:768–775

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guimiot F, Garel C, Fallet-Bianco C, Menez F, Khung-Savatovsky S, Oury JF, Sebag G, Delezoide AL (2008) Contribution of diffusion-weighted imaging in the evaluation of diffuse white matter ischemic lesions in fetuses: correlations with fetopathologic findings. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 29:110–115

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heerschap A, Kok RD, van den Berg PP (2003) Antenatal proton MR spectroscopy of the human brain in vivo. Childs Nerv Syst 19:418–421

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jani J, Breysem L, Maes F, Boulvain M, Roubliova X, Lewi L, Vaast P, Biard JM, Cannie M, Deprest J (2005) Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging for measuring fetal sheep lungs and other organs. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 25:270–276

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang S (2008) Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in moving subjects. Application to fetal, neonatal and adult brain studies. PhD Thesis, Imperial College London

    Google Scholar 

  • Kasprian G, Balassy C, Brugger PC, Prayer D (2006) MRI of normal and pathological fetal lung development. Eur J Radiol 57:261–270

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kasprian G, Brugger PC, Weber M, Krssak M, Krampl E, Herold C, Prayer D (2008) In utero tractography of fetal white matter development. Neuroimage 43:213–224

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim DH, Vahidi K, Caughey AB, Coakley FV, Vigneron DB, Kurhanewicz J, Mow B, Joe BN (2008) In vivo (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy of amniotic fluid and fetal lung at 1.5 T: technical challenges. J Magn Reson Imaging 28:1033–1038

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim TH, Joh JH, Kim MY, Kim YM, Han KS (2002) Fetal pericallosal lipoma: US and MR findings. Korean J Radiol 3:140–143

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kok RD, van den Berg PP, van den Bergh AJ, Nijland R, Heerschap A (2002) Maturation of the human fetal brain as observed by 1H MR spectroscopy. Magn Reson Med 48:611–616

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kulemann V, Brugger PC, Pugash D, Weber M, Prayer D (2009) Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the fetal brain - does it work without sedation? ASNR 47th Annual Meeting 2009, Vancouver, Abstract book

    Google Scholar 

  • Rousseau F, Glenn OA, Iordanova B, Rodriguez-Carranza C, Vigneron DB, Barkovich JA, Studholme C (2006) Registration-based approach for reconstruction of high-resolution in utero fetal MR brain images. Acad Radiol 13:1072–1081

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Savelli S, Di Maurizio M, Perrone A, Tesei J, Francioso A, Angeletti M, La Barbera L, Ballesio L, de Felice C, Porfiri LM, Manganaro L (2007) MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) assessment in the evaluation of normal and abnormal fetal kidneys: preliminary experience. Prenat Diagn 27:1104–1111

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Terakoshi H, Uchiyama K, Era K, Oishi S, Osone F, Futami T (2000) MR fetography. A new MR technique for imaging of the fetus. Jpn J of Magn Reson Med 20:138–149

    Google Scholar 

  • Verswijvel G, Grieten M, Gyselaers W, Van Holsbeke C, Vandevenne J, Horvath M, Gelin G, Palmers Y (2002) MRI in the assessment of pregnancy-related intrauterine bleeding: a valuable adjunct to ultrasound? Jbr-Btr 85: 189–192

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ward VL, Nishino M, Hatabu H, Estroff JA, Barnewolt CE, Feldman HA, Levine D (2006) Fetal lung volume measurements: determination with MR imaging - effect of various factors. Radiology 240:187–193

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Witzani L, Brugger PC, Hörmann M, Kasprian G, Csapone-Balassy C, Prayer D (2006) Normal renal development investigated with fetal MRI. Eur J Radiol 57:294–302

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Peter C. Brugger .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Brugger, P.C. (2010). Methods of Fetal MRI. In: Prayer, D. (eds) Fetal MRI. Medical Radiology(). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/174_2010_29

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/174_2010_29

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-73270-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-73271-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics