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3.0 Tesla normative diffusivity in 3rd trimester fetal brain

  • Paediatric Neuroradiology
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose

Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in the developing fetus provide valuable information on the diagnosis and prognosis of prenatal brain pathologies. Normative ADC data has been previously established in 1.5 T MR scanners but lacking in 3.0 T scanners. Our objective was to measure ADC values in various brain areas in a cohort of normal singleton fetuses scanned in a 3.0 T MR scanner.

Methods

DWI (diffusion-weighted imaging) was performed in 47 singleton fetuses with normal or questionably abnormal results on sonography followed by normal structural MR imaging. ADC values were measured in cerebral lobes (frontal, parietal, temporal lobes), basal ganglia, and pons. Regression analysis was used to examine gestational age-related changes in regional ADC.

Results

Median gestational age was 30.1 weeks (range, 26–34 weeks). There was a significant effect of region on ADC values, whereby ADC values were highest in cerebral lobes (parietal > frontal > temporal lobes), compared with basal ganglia. The lowest values were found in the pons. On regression analysis, there was a decrease in ADC values in basal ganglia and pons with increasing gestational age. ADC values in frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes were stable in our cohort.

Conclusion

Regional brain ADC values in 3.0 T scanners are comparable with previously reported values in 1.5 T scanners, with similar changes over gestational age. Using 3.0 T scanners is increasing worldwide. For fetal imaging, establishing normal ADC values is critical as DWI enables a sensitive and quantitative technique to evaluate normal and abnormal brain development.

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Abbreviations

GA:

Gestational age

SSFSE:

Single-shot fast spin echo

FOV:

Field-of-view

FSPGR:

Fast spoiled gradient echo

FL:

Frontal lobe

PL:

Parietal lobe

TL:

Temporal lobe

BG:

Basal ganglia

ICC:

Intraclass correlation coefficient

WM:

Cerebral white matter

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, 2 Sheba Rd, Ramat-Gan 52621, Israel

    Maria Segev, Bella Djurabayev, Gal Yaniv, Chen Hoffmann & Shai Shrot

  2. Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    Maria Segev, Eldad Katorza, Gal Yaniv, Chen Hoffmann & Shai Shrot

  3. Antenatal Diagnostic Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat-Gan, Israel

    Eldad Katorza

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  1. Maria Segev
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  2. Bella Djurabayev
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  4. Gal Yaniv
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  5. Chen Hoffmann
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Correspondence to Maria Segev.

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Segev, M., Djurabayev, B., Katorza, E. et al. 3.0 Tesla normative diffusivity in 3rd trimester fetal brain. Neuroradiology 64, 1249–1254 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-021-02863-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-021-02863-z

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