Value of brain MRI when sonography raises suspicion of agenesis of the corpus callosum in fetuses

• Published in: Radiología (English ed.) Vol. 59; no. 3; pp. 226 - 231
• Main Authors: Jarre, A, Llorens Salvador, R, Montoliu Fornas, G, Montoya Filardi, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier España, S.L.U 01.05.2017
• Subjects: Agenesia de cuerpo calloso; Agenesis of corpus callosum; Diagnóstico prenatal; Ecografía fetal; Fetal magnetic resonance imaging; Fetal ultrasound; Prenatal diagnosis; Radiology; Resonancia magnética fetal; Diagnóstico prenatal; Agenesia de cuerpo calloso; Resonancia magnética fetal; Prenatal diagnosis; Agenesis of corpus callosum; Ecografía fetal; Fetal ultrasound; Fetal magnetic resonance imaging
• ISSN: 2173-5107; 2173-5107
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rxeng.2017.03.002

Abstract Objective To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in fetuses with a previous sonographic suspicion of agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) to confirm the diagnosis and to detect associated intracranial anomalies. Material and methods Single-center retrospective and descriptive observational study of the brain MRI performed in 78 fetuses with ACC sonographic suspicion between January 2006 and December 2015. Two experts in fetal imaging reviewed the MRI findings to evaluate the presence and morphology of the corpus callosum. When ACC was detected the whole fetal brain anatomy was thoroughly studied to determine the presence of associated anomalies. Prenatal MR imaging findings were compared to postnatal brain MRI or necropsy findings when available. Results Fetal MRI diagnosed 45 cases of ACC, 12 were partial (26.7%) and 33 complete (73.3%). In 28 cases (62.2%) associated intracranial anomalies were identified. The most often abnormality was ventriculomegaly (78.6%), followed by cortical malformations (53.6%), posterior fossa (25%) and midline anomalies (10.7%). Conclusion Fetal brain MRI has an important role in the diagnosis of ACC and detection of associated anomalies. To perform a fetal brain MRI is important in fetuses with sonographic suspicion of ACC.