Added Value of Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosis of Central Nervous System Congenital Anomalies in Egyptian Population

CNS anomalies are the second most frequent type of congenital anomalies. It is important to diagnose them as early as possible due to poor outcome. The aim of the study is to assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of congenital anomalies of central nervous system. This study included 80 pregnant women with suspected congenital CNS anomalies. All patients had been examined by 2D ultrasound and MRI. The majority of anomalies in the current study were anencephaly, hydrocephalus with aqueductal stenosis and Chiari malformation . Twenty percentage of brain anomalies was associated with meningioceles. A significant difference was detected in both aqueductal stenosis and dandy walker as regards history of consanguinity. The results were compared with post natal clinical assessment and MRI. It is concluded that fetal MRI is becoming an increasingly important tool in diagnosis of brain abnormalities suspected on the basis of family history or fetal sonography (with equivocal data), with continuing improvements in technology for better improvement of postnatal outcome. BPD = Biparietal diameter, CNS = Central nervous system, EFW = Expected fetal body weight, FL = Femur length, FOV = Field of view, MRI = Magnetic resonance imaging, N= Number, SD = Standard deviation, Ssfp= Steady-state free percession, ST= Slice thickness, TE =time of echo, TR=time of repetition, T2WI=T2 weighted image, US=ultrasound