Fetal central nervous system biometry on MR imaging.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to compare the biometry of the fetal head on MR imaging with sonographic measurements in fetuses with and without suspected central nervous system abnormalities.


METHODS
Blinded retrospective measurements of biparietal diameter, head circumference, and cerebellar width obtained on MR imaging were assigned a gestational age on the basis of median sonographic measurements and compared with sonographic and clinical assignment of gestational age in fetuses with no central nervous system abnormalities. In fetuses with central nervous system abnormalities, the same MR measurements were compared with sonographic measurements obtained within 1 week. Single-shot fast spin-echo sequences were obtained. Pearson's product moment correlation coefficients and paired sample t tests were performed.


RESULTS
In 22 fetuses with no suspected central nervous system abnormalities, significant correlation was seen in the assignment of gestational age by MR measurements and sonographic gestational age. In 25 fetuses with central nervous system abnormalities, significant correlation was also seen between biparietal diameter and head circumference measurements. The mean biparietal diameter on MR imaging was greater than on sonography in those fetuses with central nervous system abnormalities (p = 0.038).


CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging measurements of biparietal diameter, head circumference, and cerebellar width are strongly correlated to gestational age in fetuses without central nervous system abnormalities. Significant correlation is found between MR imaging and sonographic measurements of biparietal diameter and head circumference in fetuses with central nervous system abnormalities. Larger biparietal diameter measurements were seen with MR imaging than with sonography in the abnormal group. Fetal central nervous system biometry can be performed as part of the MR imaging evaluation of the fetal central nervous system.
Reichel
Taylor F
TF
Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-8896,USA.
Ramus
Ronald M
RM
Caire
Jacqueline T
JT
Hynan
Linda S
LS
Magee
Kevin P
KP
Twickler
Diane M
DM
D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009421:Nervous System Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal