Fetal brain MR angiography at 1.5 T: a feasible study

Autores da FMUP

• Hernâni Manuel Da Silva Lobo Maia Gonçalves

  Autor

• Carla Maria De Almeida Ramalho

  Autor

Participantes de fora da FMUP

• Sampaio, L
• Morana, G
• Rossi, A

Unidades de investigação

• Ginecologia-Obstetrícia e Pediatria

• Laboratório Associado RISE- Rede de Investigação em Saúde

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

• Medicina da Comunidade, Informação e Decisão em Saúde

• RISE-Health

  

  Investigador

  Fernando Carlos De Landér Schmitt

Abstract

Purpose The use of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for assessing CNS fetal vasculature has been limited. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and added value of 2D time-of-flight (TOF) MRA of the fetal brain vasculature with a 1.5 T scanner.Methods We conducted a prospective study (September 2018 to October 2022) by consecutively selecting pregnant women (>= 18 years) with clinical indication to fetal brain MRI. On a 1.5 T scanner, a 2D TOF MRA acquisition was obtained at the end of the clinical protocol. Two neuroradiologists independently reviewed all MRIs; a qualitative scale of motion artifacts was applied to MRA images; represented vessels in MRA and T2 images were registered.Results Thirty-five fetal brain MRIs. Mean maternal age: 32 years; mean fetal gestational age (GA): 31 weeks. Artifacts were found in 74% of MRA. The number of MRAs performed without artifacts increased with GA. On MRA, the identification of the majority of vessels increased with GA; statistical significance was reached in the identification of torcular Herophili (p = 0.026), vein of Galen (p < 0.001), internal cerebral veins (p = 0.002), basilar artery (p = 0.027), vertebral arteries (p = 0.025), and middle cerebral arteries (p = 0.044). Significantly, MRA depicted the sigmoid sinuses and internal jugular veins more frequently. Vascular pathology was found in 3/35 fetal brain MRIs.Conclusion Although artifacts were found in 74% of cases, MRA acquisitions were informative and of sufficient diagnostic quality in most studies. This technique may represent a valuable complimentary tool in CNS prenatal vascular studies.

Keywords

• Magnetic resonance imaging; MRI angiography; Brain vascular malformations; Prenatal diagnosis