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

• Published in: Radiologia Vol. 59; no. 3; p. 226
• Main Authors: Jarre, A, Llorens Salvador, R, Montoliu Fornas, G, Montoya Filardi, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Spanish
• Published: Spain 01.05.2017
• Subjects: Agenesis of Corpus Callosum - diagnostic imaging; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Neuroimaging; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Agenesia de cuerpo calloso; Diagnóstico prenatal; Resonancia magnética fetal; Prenatal diagnosis; Agenesis of corpus callosum; Ecografía fetal; Fetal ultrasound; Fetal magnetic resonance imaging
• ISSN: 1578-178X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rx.2017.01.002

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. 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. 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%). 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.