Imaging of Musculoskeletal Abnormalities with 3-Dimensional Ultrasonography, CT, and MR Imaging

摘要

Musculoskeletal (MSK) anomalies are a group of anatomic malformations that may present as an isolated finding or as a part of complex clinical syndromes with multiple findings. These anomalies comprise a group of more than 350 disorders, only approximately 50 of which can be diagnosed prenatally. Many of the prenatal-onset skeletal dysplasias are associated with lethality because of pulmonary insufficiency or concomitant visceral abnormalities. The assessment of the extremities and spine could be difficult and may have low sensitivity compared with traditional 2-dimensional (2D) ultrasound examinations. It seems necessary to approach the problem with different techniques or modalities that most of the time may increase the accuracy of the diagnosis of significant consequences for the mother and child. In this article the authors review the use of different techniques and compare them with the most traditional 2D ultrasonography examination of the fetus, including 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.