Magnetic resonance imaging in foetuses with bilateral moderate ventriculomegaly and suspected anomaly of the corpus callosum on ultrasound scan.
OBJECTIVE
The diagnosis of anomalies of the corpus callosum (ACC) in foetuses with bilateral moderate ventriculomegaly (BMV) is difficult by means of ultrasound scan. The aim of this study was to examine the value of the additional investigation with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in foetuses with BMV and suspected ACC on ultrasound scan. Pathogenesis and clinical presentation of BMV and ACC are discussed.


METHODS
41 foetuses with central nervous system (CNS) anomalies on ultrasound scan were assessed by ultrasonography and MRI from 1999 to 2001. Eight of these 41 foetuses presented with BMV and suspected ACC on ultrasound scan and were prospectively included in the study. Foetal investigations with sonography and MRI were analysed with regard to diagnostic confidence; results were correlated with post partum findings. Six of these 41 foetuses presented with BMV without suspected ACC on ultrasound scan and were retrospectively analysed.


RESULTS
Ultrasonography suspected ACC in 8 foetuses with BMV. MRI confirmed the presence of ACC in 4 of these 8 cases. MRI additionally showed ACC in two of the six retrospectively analysed foetuses with BMV without suspected ACC on ultrasound scan. Prenatal MRI diagnosis was confirmed after delivery in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI is more sensitive than ultrasonography in the evaluation of ACC in foetuses with BMV. For prenatal screening ultrasound still remains the investigation of choice.
Blaicher
Wilbke
W
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Division of Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy, Ludwig Boltzman Institute for Foetal Development and Behaviour, University Hospital of Vienna, Austria. wibke.blaicher@univie.ac.at
Prayer
Daniela
D
Mittermayer
C
C
Pollak
A
A
Bernert
G
G
Deutinger
J
J
Bernaschek
G
G
D000328:Adult; D061085:Agenesis of Corpus Callosum; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D003337:Corpus Callosum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007839:Functional Laterality; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*