title: Fetal liver T2* values: defining a standardized scale.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To define the normal T2* values of liver in the third trimester of pregnancy in normal fetuses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multi-echo gradient echo T2* sequence was applied to the fetal abdomen in the axial plane in women undergoing a fetal MRI (1.5 Tesla [T], MRI system). A region of interest, best visualizing in the liver parenchyma was used for measurements. Studies were independently read by two experienced readers to assess intra- and interobserver variability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study cohort included 46 pregnant women undergoing fetal MRI for any indication other than liver pathology evaluation. Three scans were excluded due to fetal motion. Average maternal and gestational age were 33 ± 4 years and 31.9 ± 3 weeks, respectively. Average T2* values were found to be 19.7 ± 7.4 ms. The intra- and interobserver agreement were very good: 0.93 and 0.8-0.084, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  T2* MRI allows noninvasive evaluation liver iron content in the third trimester fetus. Measured values at this stage of pregnancy are significantly lower compared with values cited in the literature for adults. This is of major importance in the correct diagnosis of fetal iron overload states. We propose this as the standard reference when evaluating fetal iron overload pathology.
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Imaging, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Orly
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Goitein
authors.forename: Yael
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eshet
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Raviv-Zilka
authors.forename: Yishay
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamdan
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Goitein
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kushnir
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eshed
authors.forename: Elio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di-Segni
authors.forename: Eli
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Konen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000592:standards*; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D007557:Israel; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000592:standards*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D007501:Iron
keywords: T2*; liver; prenatal