Comparison of ultra sonogrphy and MRI in fetal anomalies

Background and

Ultra sonography is the method of choice in pre-natal diagnosis of fetal anomalies; however, sonography has limitations in oligohydramnios, maternal obesity and complex fetal anomalies. MRI, is a method with high contrast resolution, large FOV for fetus, placenta and uterine, along with multiplanar images. The aim of our study is to compare the sonographic and MRI findings in fetal anomalies by two radiologists who perform MRI test to show additional data relative to sonograpgy.

This research was a case series study and performed in Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari in year 84-86. All pregnant women with gestational age of more than 20 years were evaluated with sono-graphically for fetal anomalies by one radiologist. Additionally, patients with abnormal fetuses were evaluated with MRI testing and the MRI films were examined again after birth. The sonographic and MRI findings were matched together.

The fetal anomalies in this study include: CNS abnormalities 47%, urinary tract abnormalities 39% and gastrointestinal abnormalities 14%.

The sonography and MRI findings were similar in 60.8% of cases studied; sonographic findings were more than MRI in 8.6% of cases. MRI findings showed more than sonography in 30.4% of cases presented. Thus, MRI has a complimentary role in pre-natal diagnosis of fetal anomalies.