Research: Prenatal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and therapeutic options for fetal thoracic anomalies: a pictorial essay

Pediatr Radiol

. 2023 May 11.

 doi: 10.1007/s00247-023-05681-y. Online ahead of print. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37166455/

Prenatal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and therapeutic options for fetal thoracic anomalies: a pictorial essay

Pablo Caro-Domínguez 1Teresa Victoria 2Pierluigi Ciet 3Estrella de la Torre 4Ángel Chimenea Toscano 5Lutgardo García Diaz 5José Antonio Sainz-Bueno 6

Affiliations expand

Abstract

Congenital thoracic anomalies are uncommon malformations that require a precise diagnosis to guide parental counseling and possible prenatal treatment. Prenatal ultrasound (US) is the gold standard imaging modality to first detect and characterize these abnormalities and the best modality for follow-up. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a complementary tool that provides multiplanar assessment and tissue characterization and can help estimate prognosis. Prenatal treatment is increasingly being used in fetuses with signs of distress and to potentially decrease morbidity and mortality. In this essay, the authors illustrate side-by-side US, MRI and therapeutic options for congenital thoracic anomalies in cases that presented to a tertiary pediatric hospital during the 7-year period 2014-2021. Entities included are congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital pulmonary airway malformation, bronchopulmonary sequestration, hybrid lesions, foregut duplications cysts and congenital lobar overinflation. Treatment options include maternal steroids, thoraco-amniotic shunt and fetal endotracheal occlusion. Recognition of typical findings in congenital thoracic anomalies is helpful to establish diagnosis, predict prognosis and plan perinatal treatment.

Keywords: Anomaly; Fetus; Lung; Magnetic resonance imaging; Thorax; Treatment; Ultrasound.

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