title: Three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging of the postmortem fetal heart.
abstract: Five postmortem fetuses were scanned by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Of eight three-dimensional (3D) data sets reconstructed on an MGI workstation, five sets demonstrated detailed 3D fetal cardiac structures, and one depicted clear information regarding the disposition and compression of the heart and lungs in diaphragmatic hernia. This study has shown the potential of 3D MR imaging in support of postmortem examination and for interactive visual teaching of the fetal cardiac structures. The new technique may eventually be of significance in prenatal detection of cardiac abnormalities with the development of fast real-time MR imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, University College London, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brookes
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gardener
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Rodeck
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Lees
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000196:embryology; D005313:Fetal Death; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000196:embryology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000196:embryology; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010210:Papillary Muscles / Q000196:embryology; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000196:embryology; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000196:embryology