title: Value of fetal cerebral MRI in sonographically proven cardiac rhabdomyoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant phakomatosis associated with intracardiac rhabdomyomas.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to examine the value of cerebral MRI in diagnosing TSC in fetuses with intracardiac rhabdomyomas, applying the TSC Consensus Conference (TSCCC) criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective manner six consecutive fetuses with cardiac rhabdomyomas (21-34 weeks' gestation) underwent cerebral MRI. The MRI results were correlated with clinical follow-up at 10-34 months after birth, histology, and genetic data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In five of the six fetuses the diagnosis of TSC was established. In two of five fetuses MRI demonstrated cerebral manifestations of TSC that correlated well with severe epilepsy manifesting during the follow-up period. In another two of five fetuses MRI as well as clinical follow-up were normal. One of five pregnancies was terminated and histology demonstrated microscopically small subependymal nodules not demonstrated by MRI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study agree with the available literature that fetal MRI is sufficient for the detection of cerebral lesions in TSC and should be better promoted. The TSCCC criteria can also be applied to fetal MRI.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Mitte, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany. matthias.muehler@charite.de
authors.forename: Matthias R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mühler
authors.forename: Annett
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rake
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwabe
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kivelitz
authors.forename: Rabih
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaoui
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hamm
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012207:Rhabdomyoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014402:Tuberous Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal