OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at evaluating by means of magnetic resonance imaging a series of fetuses with sonographic diagnosis of malformation, establishing the diagnostic benefits and limitations of fetal magnetic resonance imaging as compared with ultrasonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty women between 15-35 gestational weeks and previously diagnosed with fetal abnormality by ultrasonography were referred to undergo complementary fetal magnetic resonance imaging, particularly for evaluating abnormalities in the fetal central nervous system, thorax, abdomen, renal system, skeletal system, and tumors. The whole evaluation process included a review of the fetal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance images, postnatal follow-up, laboratory tests, imaging studies and necropsy. RESULTS: The present study has demonstrated that complementary magnetic resonance imaging did provide further information in 60% of cases, with the following benefits: improved information on the fetus as a whole, with a large field of view, higher anatomic resolution provided by fast sequences, superior soft tissue contrast resolution, besides the fact that the visualization of the fetus is not significantly affected by maternal obesity or oligohydramnios. Limitations of the method include contraindication in the first gestational trimester and in cases of maternal claustrophobia, sensitivity to fetal motion, low sensitivity for detecting cardiovascular and skeletal malformations. CONCLUSION: Fetal magnetic resonance imaging plays a significant role as a complementary method for the diagnosis of fetal anomalies.

Keywords: Fetal magnetic resonance imaging, Ultrasonography, Malformations, Single-shot, HASTE, Prenatal diagnosis

Objective: To compare the performance of the T1, T2, STIR and DWIBS (diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression) sequences in the staging and follow-up of pediatric patients with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in lymph node chains, parenchymal organs and bone marrow, and to evaluate interobserver agreement. Materials and Methods: The authors studied 12 patients with confirmed diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The patients were referred for whole body magnetic resonance imaging with T1-weighted, T2-weighted, STIR and DWIBS sequences. Results: The number of lymph node sites characterized as affected by the disease on T1- and T2-weighted sequences showed similar results (8 sites for both sequences), but lower than DWIBS and STIR sequences (11 and 12 sites, respectively). The bone marrow involvement by lymphoma showed the same values for the T1-, T2-weighted and DWIBS sequences (17 lesions), higher than the value found on STIR (13 lesions). A high rate of interobserver agreement was observed as the four sequences were analyzed. Conclusion: STIR and DWIBS sequences detected the highest number of lymph node sites characterized as affected by the disease. Similar results were demonstrated by all the sequences in the evaluation of parenchymal organs and bone marrow. A high interobserver agreement was observed as the four sequences were analyzed.

Keywords: Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging; Diffusion; Lymphoma; DWIBS.