Fetal liver magnetic resonance imaging in anterior body wall defects: a study of specimens from the museum of pathology

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery Vol. 38; no. 8; pp. 1147 - 1151
• Main Authors: Pumberger, W, Patzak, B, Prayer, D, Hörmann, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, PA Elsevier Inc 01.08.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Abdominal Wall - abnormalities; Abnormalities, Multiple - diagnosis; Anterior body wall defects; Biological and medical sciences; fetal diagnosis; Fetus - pathology; giant omphalocele; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Hernia, Umbilical - diagnosis; Humans; Liver - pathology; liver morphology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Management. Prenatal diagnosis; Medical sciences; pathologic specimens; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Prenatal Diagnosis - methods; prenatal ultrasonography; ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging; Austria; Europe; ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging; giant omphalocele; pathologic specimens; liver morphology; prenatal ultrasonography; Anterior body wall defects; fetal diagnosis; Human; Disease; Liver; Anterior; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Prenatal; Newborn; Malformation; Abdominal disease; Giant tumor; Abdominal wall; Medical imagery; Fetus; Museum; Diagnosis; Omphalocele
• ISSN: 0022-3468; 1531-5037
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3468(03)00259-8

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the appearance of liver anatomy in fetuses with complex anterior body wall defects (ABWD) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods. Nineteen specimens from the National Museum of Pathological Anatomy (Vienna) with a wide range of ABWD were studied on a 1.5-T MR scanner (T 1- and T 2-weighted sequences) with special focus on the liver and the relationship between the large lesion and the adjacent structures. Results. The contrast of T 2-weighted sequences was superior to that of the T 1-weighted images. The liver was found in an intraabdominal location in 3 cases and in a completely extraabdominal location in 11 fetuses. Five fetuses had a very special configuration or position of the liver. Furthermore, the images showed an anteriorly located confluence of hepatic veins into the inferior vena cava in 5 specimens. Associated malformations of the complexly structured malformations involved the urogenital tract, the central nervous system (CNS), the cardiac system and the musculoskeletal system. Prenatal fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in one fetus confirmed the liver in a both inside/outside position, whereas the diagnosis at fetal ultrasound scan (US) in this case had been uncertain. Conclusions. These results show that MRI may play an important part in antenatal diagnosis of ABWD, complementary to prenatal US. Prenatal fast MRI should be considered if fetal US yields ambiguous findings.