The topics of radiological diagnosis in pediatric respiratory disease
Fetal lung MRI
2023 Volume 39 Issue 2 Pages 90-96
Details
2023 Volume 39 Issue 2 Pages 90-96
Ultrasound (US) remains the modality of choice for routine antenatal pulmonary imaging. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable complementary tool when US is inadequate or gives unclear results. The purpose of fetal MRI is to confirm US findings or acquire additional findings.
The primary MRI techniques used are single-shot fast spin echo (SSFSE) or balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP). These rapid pulse sequences can reduce fetal motion artifacts.
MRI is also useful for the evaluation of pulmonary abnormalities. The respiratory function of the newborn is dependent on sufficient lung volume, sufficient fetal lung fluid, and fetal breathing movements. The MRI assessment of fetal pulmonary growth and maturation consists of two diagnostic elements: lung volume and lung signal intensity. Measurement of ADC (apparent diffusion coefficient) in cases with pulmonary abnormalities will be investigated in future work.
Herein, we describe our technique for fetal MRI and illustrate some important and high frequent fetal pulmonary diseases.
