OBJECTIVE: To compare sonographic and magnetic resonance imaging findings in deep endometriosis with emphasis on intestinal involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen women aged between 23 and 49 years with clinical suspicion and gynecological signs suggestive of deep endometriosis were submitted to ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging for correlation between findings. RESULTS: Ultrasonography detected 40 lesions while magnetic resonance imaging detected 53 lesions in the pelvis. A comparative study has not shown any statistically significant intermethod difference in the detection of lesions (respectively p > 0.19 and p > 0.14). In the rectosigmoid junction, magnetic resonance imaging has detected one (5.6%) lesion, while ultrasonography has detected four lesions (22.2%). In the rectum, ultrasonography has detected eight lesions (44.4%), and magnetic resonance imaging has detected seven lesions (38.9%). CONCLUSION: The intermethod agreement has not been good for lesions in the rectosigmoid junction, considering that ultrasonography has detected a higher number of lesions in this region, but a lower number of lesions in the pelvis as compared with magnetic resonance imaging. The global comparative analysis has demonstrated no statistically significant intermethod difference in the detection of lesions. Low cost, good tolerability and high availability make ultrasonography a valuable diagnostic tool in cases of deep endometriosis.

Keywords: Deep endometriosis, Diagnosis, Transvaginal ultrasonography, Magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate three cases of cervical lymphangioma with magnetic resonance imaging and correlating with sonographic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three pregnant women between the 24th and 35th gestational weeks, with sonographic findings suggestive of fetal cystic hygroma, were submitted to magnetic resonance and subsequently to a new ultrasonography for correlation of imaging findings. Tumors size, location, content and extent were evaluated both at magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography. RESULTS: Findings regarding tumor location, size and content were similar for both methods. All the lesions were found in the posterior and lateral cervical space. As regards the tumors content, two of the lesions were predominantly cystic, with thin septations, and the other was heterogeneous. Lesions extent and adjacent structures invasion were better characterized by magnetic resonance imaging, with appropriate demonstration of invasion of the pinna in one case and invasion of the superior mediastinum in another. CONCLUSION: Fetal magnetic resonance imaging can be a useful adjuvant to obstetric ultrasonography in cases of lymphangioma because of its higher accuracy in the determination of these tumors extent and adjacent structures invasion, allowing a better postnatal surgical planning.

Keywords: Fetus, Lymphangioma, Cystic hygroma, Ultrasonography, Fetal magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE: To generate physical models of fetuses from images obtained with three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and, occasionally, computed tomography (CT), in order to guide additive manufacturing technology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 3D-US images of 31 pregnant women, including 5 who were carrying twins. If abnormalities were detected by 3D-US, both MRI and in some cases CT scans were then immediately performed. The images were then exported to a workstation in DICOM format. A single observer performed slice-by-slice manual segmentation using a digital high resolution screen. Virtual 3D models were obtained from software that converts medical images into numerical models. Those models were then generated in physical form through the use of additive manufacturing techniques. RESULTS: Physical models based upon 3D-US, MRI, and CT images were successfully generated. The postnatal appearance of either the aborted fetus or the neonate closely resembled the physical models, particularly in cases of malformations. CONCLUSION: The combined use of 3D-US, MRI, and CT could help improve our understanding of fetal anatomy. These three screening modalities can be used for educational purposes and as tools to enable parents to visualize their unborn baby. The images can be segmented and then applied, separately or jointly, in order to construct virtual and physical 3D models.

Keywords: Fetus; Fetal medicine; Three-dimensional technique; Ultrasound; Magnetic resonance imaging; Computed tomography.

Although ultrasound continues to be the mainstay modality for the evaluation of fetal disorders, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has often been used as a valuable adjunct in recent years. The exponential growth of the use of fetal MRI has been facilitated by technological advancements such as ultrafast T2-weighted sequences and diffusion-weighted imaging. Fetal MRI can achieve results that are comparable to or better than those of ultrasound, particularly in cases of maternal obesity, severe oligohydramnios, or abnormal fetal position. Because of its superior soft tissue contrast, wide field of view, and multiplanar imaging, fetal MRI is able to evaluate the large fetal organs, such as the lungs, liver, bowel, and kidneys. In addition, fetal MRI allows large or complex malformations to be examined, facilitating the understanding of the malformation within the context of the body as a whole. Initial fetal MRI studies were focused on the central nervous system. With advances in software and hardware, fetal MRI gained importance in the evaluation of the fetal abdomen. The purpose of this article is to review the recent literature and developments in MRI evaluation of the fetal abdomen, with an emphasis on imaging aspects, protocols, and common clinical indications.

Keywords: Fetus; Congenital abnormalities/diagnostic imaging; Abdomen/diagnostic imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging.