Estimation of fetal lung volume using echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To measure fetal lung volume by echo-planar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).


METHODS
Twenty singleton pregnancies were scanned on one occasion each using echo-planar imaging, a form of MRI. Cases of fetal growth restriction and macrosomia were excluded from the study.


RESULTS
Lung volumes increased with gestational age from 21 mL at 23 weeks' gestation to a maximum of 94 mL at term. The relation between lung volume and gestational age was exponential. The ratio of lung volume to total fetal volume decreased with gestational age.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of echo-planar imaging allows estimation of normal fetal growth; it has clear applications for the diagnosis of lung hypoplasia and potential use for the study of lung maturity.
Baker
P N
PN
Department of Physics, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom.
Johnson
I R
IR
Gowland
P A
PA
Freeman
A
A
Adams
V
V
Mansfield
P
P
D017352:Echo-Planar Imaging; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D011247:Pregnancy