Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on fetuses with sonographically diagnosed central nervous system (CNS) anomalies to determine frequency and type of cases in which fetal MRI adds clinically relevant information.
Patients and methods: Forty-three cases presenting with CNS anomalies by ultrasonography were investigated by MRI. The potential effect of MRI on parental counseling and pre- or postnatal management were the main endpoints.
Results: Fetal MRI confirmed the sonographic diagnosis in 28 of 43 cases, showed additional findings in 14 of 43 cases, and was inferior to sonography in 1 of 43 cases. The MRI diagnosis had therapeutic consequences in 11 of 43 patients, with the fetal MRI diagnosis influencing parental counseling in 8 of these 11 patients. Prenatal patient care was not influenced by the additional investigation with fetal MRI.
Conclusion: MRI is well suited as additional imaging method in fetuses with CNS anomalies. Additional fetal MRI is particularly indicated if the findings might have a therapeutic consequence.