MR ASSESSMENT OF LUNG DEVELOPMENT IN FETAL ANOMALIES USING RATIO OF LUNG TO LIVER SIGNAL INTENSITIES

摘要

Objective To evaluate the monitoring and diagnostic potential of MR in fetal lung developmentrnusing lung signal intensity changes in the fetus. Methods The lung-to-liver intensity ratio was calculated by means of region-of-interest analysis in all 35 fetuses including 7 bilateral urinary anomalies, 9 unilateral urinary anomalies, 5 pulmonary anomalies, and 14 others. Results All fetuses with urinary anomalies and pulmonary anomalies showed low ratio of lung-to-liver signal intensity. Conclusion Low ratio of lung-to-liver signal intensity on MR imaging indicates pulmonary hypoplasia after 22 weeks' gestation.