Sakarya Tıp Dergisi (Mar 2021)
Congenital Thoracic Abnormalities: Contribution of Prenatal Magnetic Resonance İmaging to Ultrasound Diagnosis
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to evaluate the contribution of prenatal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of congenital thoracic abnormalities. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three out of 984 pregnant women, with fetal thoracic anomalies detected at US and subsequently underwent fetal MR imaging were analyzed retrospectively. In the present methodological study, prenatal MR imaging and US findings are compared with postnatal imaging, autopsy, surgical pathologic examination, physical examination or clinical follow-up. Diagnostic sensitivities were calculated for US, MR imaging and combinations of both methods by comparing US and MR results with postnatal definite diagnoses. Results: The sensitivities of US and MR imaging in detecting thoracic anomalies were 53.3% and 66.7%, respectively. Both US and MRI findings were consistent in prenatal imaging in a total 27 (82%) of cases. Both US and MR imaging made correct diagnosis in 48% of cases. MR imaging confirmed the suspected US diagnosis in 3%. Prenatal MR imaging positively contributed to US with revealing additional findings such as pulmonary hypoplasia and mediastinal shift in 30% cases. Main contribution (90%) of MR imaging to US was in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) cases. In all cases with CDH, MRI showed reduction in T2 signal consistent with pulmonary hypoplasia. MR imaging completely altered the diagnosis in 9% of cases. Total contribution rate of prenatal MR imaging to US was 42%. Sixty-seven percent of prenatally detected congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) and congenital lobar fluid overload (CLFO) cases exhibited spontaneous resolution before birth. Conclusion: MR imaging as a complementary to US can be used successfully in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital thoracic pathologies. It can provide additional findings, confirm the suspected diagnosis or completely alter the prenatal US diagnosis. The most additional contribution of MRI to US was provided in cases of CDH.
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