The role of fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging in current fetal medicine: fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Fetal MRI has become an important adjunct to prenatal ultrasound in the assessment of fetal abnormalities, and certainly so abnormalities of the central nervous system. Although initially perceived as competing modalities  it has become clear that both modalities complement each other where indicated, permitting better understanding of the disease process, classification of abnormalities, and determination of prognosis and management options. In this thesis the role of advanced fetal imaging in current fetal medicine was investigated, more specifically in spina bifida aperta, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, cytomegalovirus infection and complicated monochorionic diamniotic pregnancies.