Liver, meconium, haemorrhage: the value of T1-weighted images in fetal MRI.
BACKGROUND
Ultrafast T2-weighted (T2-W) MRI sequences are currently considered a routine technique for fetal MR imaging. Limited experience exists with fetal T1-weighted (T1-W) imaging techniques.


OBJECTIVE
To determine MRI patterns of some fetal abdominal or haemorrhagic disorders with particular respect to the diagnostic value of T1-W images.


METHODS
In addition to standard T2-W single-shot sequences, T1-W single-shot and/or multislice sequences were employed in 25 MR examinations performed in 23 fetuses between 20 and 36 weeks of gestation for more detailed assessment of liver, meconium-filled digestive tract, haemorrhage, or further characterization of a fetal abdominal mass. Diagnostic value and presence of motion artefacts on T1-W images was recorded in each case.


RESULTS
T1-W images enabled superior delineation of fetal liver and large intestine. They provided additional diagnostic information in 9 (39%) of 23 fetuses. One false-positive and one false-negative MRI diagnosis of malrotation anomaly were encountered. Use of single-shot T1-W sequences reduced the occurrence of motion artefacts in 64%.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that the specific signal properties of methaemoglobin, meconium and liver are sufficiently important for T1-W sequences to become a routine part of fetal MRI protocols when dealing with digestive tract anomalies, diaphragmatic and abdominal wall defects, intraabdominal masses, and fetal haemorrhage.
Zizka
Jan
J
Department of Radiology, Charles University Hospital, Sokolska 581, 50005, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. zizka@fnhk.cz
Elias
Pavel
P
Hodik
Karel
K
Tintera
Jaroslav
J
Juttnerova
Vera
V
Belobradek
Zdenek
Z
Klzo
Ludovit
L
D000005:Abdomen / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008470:Meconium; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies