title: Ultrafast MR imaging of the fetus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the capability of ultrafast single-shot fast spin-echo imaging to assess different fetal organ systems compared with prenatal sonography, using autopsy or postpartum imaging as a standard of reference.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty women with complicated pregnancies (mean age of gestation, 190 +/- 54 days) underwent T2-weighted ultrafast MR imaging. MR images were analyzed with regard to diagnostic confidence in assessing abnormalities of fetal organ systems, and data were correlated with postpartum findings or necropsy. Results were compared with those of prenatal sonography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, diagnostic confidence of MR imaging was best for assessing the brain (area under the curve [Az] = 0.96) and spinal canal (Az = 1.0), uteroplacental unit (Az = 0.93), and lungs (Az = 0.91). Results for the heart (Az = 0.63) and extremities (Az = 0.77) were significantly lower than that of other organs (p < 0.001). Diagnostic accuracy increased with gestational age. No statistically significant difference between sonography and MR imaging was found for the detection of abnormality in any organ system. In three fetuses, MR imaging was superior to sonography in characterizing cerebral abnormalities. MR imaging was inferior to sonography in characterizing abnormalities of the heart and extremities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that ultrafast MR imaging can be used for in vivo fetal imaging, especially in assessing cerebral abnormalities. However, MR imaging should be restricted to situations in which sonographic findings are ambiguous or impaired.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Zürich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kubik-Huch
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Huisman
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wisser
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gottstein-Aalame
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Debatin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seifert
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ladd
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stallmach
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marincek
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005333:Fetus / Q000473:pathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal