title: Role of foetal MRI in the evaluation of ischaemic-haemorrhagic lesions of the foetal brain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to define the role of foetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating cerebral ischaemic-haemorrhagic lesions and the extension of parenchymal injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2006 to September 2010, 271 foetal MRI have been performed on cases referred to us for ultrasound suspect of brain abnormalities or cytomegalovirus infection and Toxoplasma serum conversion. Foetal MRI was performed with a 1.5-T magnet system without mother sedation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Foetal MRI detected ischaemic-haemorrhagic lesions in 14 of 271 foetuses, consisting of 5% incidence. MRI confirmed the diagnosis in three of 14 cases with ultrasonography (US) suspect of ischaemic-haemorrhagic lesions associated with ventriculomegaly. In one of 14 cases with US findings of cerebellar haemorrhage, MRI confirmed the diagnosis and provided additional information regarding the parenchymal ischaemic injury. In eight of 14 cases with US suspect of ventriculomegaly (3), corpus callosum agenesis (2), hypoplasia of cerebellar vermis (1), holoprosencephaly (1) and spina bifida (1), MRI detected ischaemic and haemorrhagic lesions unidentified at US examination. In two of 14 foetuses with US suspect of intracerebral space-occupying lesion, MRI modified the diagnosis to extra-axial haematoma associated with dural sinus malformation. Results were compared with post-mortem findings or afterbirth imaging follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Foetal MRI is an additional imaging modality in the diagnosis of cerebral ischemic-haemorrhagic lesions, and it is useful in providing further information on the extension of the parenchymal injury and associated abnormalities, thus improving delivery management.
authors: Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomopathological Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Umberto I Hospital, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome, Italy. lucia.manganaro@uniroma1.it
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Manganaro
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Bernardo
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: La Barbera
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Noia
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Masini
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Tomei
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Fierro
authors: Valeria
authors: V
authors: Vinci
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Sollazzo
authors: Evelina
authors: E
authors: Silvestri
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Giancotti
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Marini
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple; D000328:Adult; D061085:Agenesis of Corpus Callosum / Q000175:diagnosis; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000473:pathology; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000002:abnormalities; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000473:pathology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D016142:Holoprosencephaly / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D052177:Kidney Diseases, Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D012160:Retina / Q000002:abnormalities; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000175:diagnosis