Document Detail


MR evaluation of fetal demise.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21384261     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Fetal demise is an uncommon event encountered at MR imaging. When it occurs, recognition by the interpreting radiologist is important to initiate appropriate patient management.
OBJECTIVE: To identify MR findings of fetal demise.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following IRB approval, a retrospective search of the radiology fetal MR database was conducted searching the words "fetal demise" and "fetal death." Fetuses with obvious maceration or no sonographic confirmation of death were excluded. Eleven cases formed the study group. These were matched randomly to live fetuses of similar gestational age. Images were reviewed independently by three pediatric radiologists.
RESULTS: The deceased fetus demonstrates decreased MR soft-tissue contrast and definition of tissue planes, including loss of gray-white matter differentiation in the brain. The signal within the cardiac chambers, when visible, is bright on HASTE sequences from the stagnant blood; the heart is small. Pleural effusions and decreased lung volumes may be seen. Interestingly, the fetal orbits lose their anatomical round shape and become smaller and more elliptical; a dark, irregular rim resembling a mask may be seen.
CONCLUSION: Although fetal demise is uncommonly encountered at MR imaging, radiologists should be aware of such imaging findings so prompt management can be instituted.
Authors:
Teresa Victoria; Elena Capilla; Nancy Anne Chauvin; Ann M Johnson; Sandra Sue Kramer; Monica Epelman
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article     Date:  2011-03-08
Journal Detail:
Title:  Pediatric radiology     Volume:  41     ISSN:  1432-1998     ISO Abbreviation:  Pediatr Radiol     Publication Date:  2011 Jul 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-06-28     Completed Date:  2011-11-02     Revised Date:  2012-01-09    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0365332     Medline TA:  Pediatr Radiol     Country:  Germany    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  884-9     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. victoria@email.chop.edu
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Case-Control Studies
Female
Fetal Death*
Gestational Age
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
Maternal Age
Pregnancy
Prenatal Diagnosis / methods*
Retrospective Studies
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Pediatr Radiol. 2011 Dec;41(12):1598; author reply 1599   [PMID:  22037932 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  MRI for the evaluation of pectus excavatum.
Next Document:  Homolog pairing and sister chromatid cohesion in heterochromatin in Drosophila male meiosis I.