Purpose or Case Report: As an inexpensive modality that does not require ionizing radiation, ultrasound is the preferred method for screening for fetal anomalies. When an abnormality is detected on ultrasound, the limitations of the modality often elicit further evaluation with MRI, as MRI can provide more detail and information to the radiologist and clinician. Chest and cardiac pathologies are among the most common findings on prenatal ultrasound and often warrant additional imaging. Consequently, an understanding of these findings and how they appear on different modalities is essential to the pediatric imager.
This electronic exhibit features fetal ultrasound and MRI of mediastinal lymphangioma, type I-III congenital pulmonary airway malformations, intralobar, extralobar, and subdiaphragmatic sequestrations, left and right sided congenital diaphragmatic hernias, hypoplastic left heart, heterotaxy, AV canal defect, and rhabdomyoma. In addition to reviewing the correlation of findings on ultrasound and MRI, prognosis as well as conditions and syndromes commonly associated with these chest and cardiac anomalies will be examined.
The goal of this exhibit is to provide an overview of common fetal cardiopulmonary abnormalities on different, complementary imaging modalities. Familiarity with these conditions is necessary for the radiologist to provide critical information to clinicians to allow prompt intervention in the postnatal period. These findings can additionally serve as an indication to the radiologist to search for associated findings, allowing prognostication and appropriate counseling of parents.
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