Fetal Body Imaging: When is MRI Indicated?

Recent improvements in fetal therapies and perinatal care and the multidisciplinary involvement in fetal medicine have increased the demand for more accurate prenatal diagnosis. Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a complementary imaging technique for the assessment of thoraco-abdominal anomalies for which Ultrasonography (US) is not conclusive. It is indicated in selected situations to precise the prognosis in diaphragmatic hernia, to characterise the nature and extension of a pulmonary malformation, to locate a bowel atresia or to better depict an abdominal cystic lesion or tumoural extension. It has become a mandatory complementary diagnostic tool and improves the management of the fetuses and newborns.