Publication
Title
Postmortem imaging of fetuses at early gestations : a comparison of microfocus computed tomography with postmortem magnetic resonance at 9.4 T and postmortem ultrasound
Author
Abstract
Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of postmortem ultrasound (PMUS), 9.4 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and microfocus computed tomography (micro-CT) for the examination of early gestation fetuses. Method: Eight unselected fetuses (10-15 weeks gestational age) underwent at least 2 of the 3 listed imaging examinations. Six fetuses underwent 9.4 T MRI, four underwent micro-CT and six underwent PMUS. All operators were blinded to clinical history. All imaging was reported according to a prespecified template assessing 36 anatomical structures, later grouped into five regions: brain, thorax, heart, abdomen and genito-urinary. Results: More anatomical structures were seen on 9.4 T MRI and micro-CT than with PMUS, with a combined frequency of identified structures of 91.9% and 69.7% versus 54.5% and 59.6 (p < 0.001; p < 0.05) respectively according to comparison groups. In comparison with 9.4 T MRI, more structures were seen on micro-CT (90.2% vs. 83.3%, p < 0.05). Anatomical structures were described as abnormal on PMUS in 2.7%, 9.4 T MRI in 6.1% and micro-CT 7.7% of all structures observed. However, the accuracy test could not be calculated because conventional autopsy was performed on 6 fetuses of that only one structure was abnormal. Conclusion: Micro-CT appears to offer the greatest potential as an imaging adjunct or non-invasive alternative for conventional autopsies in early gestation fetuses.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Prenatal diagnosis. - Chichester
Publication
Hoboken : Wiley , 2024
ISSN
0197-3851
DOI
10.1002/PD.6532
Volume/pages
44 :5 (2024) , p. 572-579
ISI
001163735700001
Pubmed ID
38367004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 04.03.2024
Last edited 26.06.2024
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