title: Overcoming foetal motion using interactive real-time magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Foetal MRI has become an established image modality in the prenatal diagnosis of CNS anomalies, but image quality can be severely affected by foetal movements. The objective was to overcome these inherent motion problems by applying interactive real-time MRI and to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of the applied real-time MRI sequence in relation to standard protocols.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy foetuses (gestation week 21·3 ± 0·5) were scanned using a system, which allowed visual feedback and interactive slice positioning in real time. The data were compared to a control group of 14 healthy foetuses (gestation week 21·0 ± 0·8) who had previously been scanned using standard MRI. Comparisons were carried out by two radiologists with regard to cerebral anthropometric sizes, presence of important brain structures, degree of movement, clinical image value, image quality and ability to obtain correct slice planes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two out of eight anthropometric sizes were statistically different between the two groups. Representation of cerebral structures was found in 70-100% in the real-time group. No statistically differences were found in clinical image value and image quality. The mean ability to obtain optimal slice planes was higher in the real-time group, but it was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Imaging of the foetal brain using the proposed interactive real-time MRI system is a promising alternative to traditional foetal MRI for anthropometrics or as a supplement for the representation of foetal brain structures in cases in which foetal motion causes challenges in relation to obtaining optimal slice planes using conventional MRI techniques.
authors.affiliation: Department of Procurement & Clinical Engineering, Region Midt, Aarhus N, Denmark.|MR Research Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lau
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brix
authors.affiliation: MR Research Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ringgaard
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Puk
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sandager
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Olav Bjørn
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark.|Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Thomas Sangild
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.affiliation: MR Research Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lundorf
authors.affiliation: MR Research Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus N, Denmark.
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stausbøl-Grøn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016477:Artifacts; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000254:growth & development; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005333:Fetus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009068:Movement; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: foetal MRI; foetal anthropometrics; foetal brain; foetal motion compensation; real-time reconstruction