title: A systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the contribution of mr imaging to the diagnosis of foetal brain abnormalities In Utero.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This systematic review was undertaken to define the diagnostic performance of in utero MR (iuMR) imaging when attempting to confirm, exclude or provide additional information compared with the information provided by prenatal ultrasound scans (USS) when there is a suspicion of foetal brain abnormality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Electronic databases were searched as well as relevant journals and conference proceedings. Reference lists of applicable studies were also explored. Data extraction was conducted by two reviewers independently to identify relevant studies for inclusion in the review. Inclusion criteria were original research that reported the findings of prenatal USS and iuMR imaging and findings in terms of accuracy as judged by an outcome reference diagnosis for foetal brain abnormalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  34 studies met the inclusion criteria which allowed diagnostic accuracy to be calculated in 959 cases, all of which had an outcome reference diagnosis determined by postnatal imaging, surgery or autopsy. iuMR imaging gave the correct diagnosis in 91 % which was an increase of 16 % above that achieved by USS alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  iuMR imaging makes a significant contribution to the diagnosis of foetal brain abnormalities, increasing the diagnostic accuracy achievable by USS alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  • Ultrasound is the primary modality for monitoring foetal brain development during pregnancy • iuMRI used together with ultrasound is more accurate for detecting foetal brain abnormalities • iuMR imaging is most helpful for detecting midline brain abnormalities • The moderate heterogeneity of reviewed studies may compromise findings.
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. Deborah.jarvis@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0133-1771
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jarvis
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bradburn
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Anthea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sutton
authors.affiliation: Academic Unit of Radiology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards
keywords: Brain malformations; Foetal; Magnetic resonance imaging; Prenatal diagnosis; Ultrasound