Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Magnetic resonance imaging of the intrauterine fetal genitourinary tract

  • Invited pictorial essay
  • Published:
Abdominal Imaging Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Although ultrasonography (US) remains the most widely used diagnostic imaging modality for routine evaluation of the fetus, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has become an invaluable complement to US in all cases in which additional information is desirable. While the ability of US to detect fetal abnormalities is limited in cases such as maternal obesity, oligohydramnios, and in certain fetal positions, MR using fast and ultrafast pulse sequences enables high-quality fetal images to be acquired regardless of the mother’s physical condition or fetal position. Fetal genitourinary disorders are the most common intrauterine abnormalities detected by US, accounting for approximately 30% of all antenatally detected anomalies. Although they usually occur in isolation, these defects can form part of more complex syndromes or chromosomopathies, and MR is indicated to rule out associated abnormalities. In some severe genitourinary disorders, there is a severe deficit of amniotic fluid; these cases are associated with other fetal anomalies such as pulmonary hypoplasia and very poor prognosis. In other cases, the amniotic fluid is not compromised, yet the further detection, localization, and characterization of prenatal disorders will have an impact on postnatal follow-up. This article reviews the role of fetal MR in urogenital tract disorders.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
Figure 15
Figure 16
Figure 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Moore KL, Persaud TVN. The urogenital system. In: The developing human: clinically oriented embryology, 5th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1993:265–303

  2. MC Gubler F Dahmane M Dommergues et al. (1997) ArticleTitleLes malformations et maladies rénales à révélation prénatale. Ann Pathol 17 240–250 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c%2FgsFCltA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9409883

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. KW Fong G Ryan (1998) The fetal urogenital tract. CM Rumack SR Wilson JW Charboneau (Eds) Diagnostic ultrasound, 2nd ed. Mosby St Louis 1093–1121

    Google Scholar 

  4. C Garel H Brisse G Sebag et al. (1998) ArticleTitleMagnetic resonance imaging of the fetus. Pediatr Radiol 28 201–211 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s002470050334 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c3htlOlsw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9545472

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. D Levine H Goldstein P Callen et al. (1997) ArticleTitleThe effect of oligohydramnios on detection of fetal anomalies with sonography. AJR 168 1609–1611 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiA3M3ivFI%3D Occurrence Handle9168737

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. P Twining (2003) Genitourinary malformations. DA Nyberg JP McGahan DH Pretrorius G Pilu (Eds) Diagnostic imaging of fetal anomalies Lippincott Williams Wilkins Philadelphia 603–660

    Google Scholar 

  7. GJ Beers (1989) ArticleTitleBiological effects of weak electromagnetic fields from 0 Hz to 200 MHz: a survey of the literature with special emphasis on possible magnetic resonance effects. Magn Reson Imaging 7 309–331 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0730-725X(89)90556-0 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiaA2czltF0%3D Occurrence Handle2668675

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. InstitutionalAuthorNameNational Radiological Protection Board Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Clinical Imaging (1983) ArticleTitleRevised guidelines on acceptable limits of exposure during nuclear magnetic resonance clinical imaging.. Br J Radiol 53 974–977

    Google Scholar 

  9. M Saguintaah A Couture C Veyrac et al. (2002) ArticleTitleMRI of the fetal gastrointestinal tract. Pediatr Radiol 32 395–404 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s00247-001-0607-1 Occurrence Handle12029338

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. LM Hill R Sohey DA Nyberg (2003) Abnormalities of amniotic fluid. DA Nyberg JP McGahan DH Pretrorius G Pilu (Eds) Diagnostic imaging of fetal anomalies Lippincott Williams Wilkins Philadelphia 59–84

    Google Scholar 

  11. ME Halperin KW Fong AH Zalev et al. (1985) ArticleTitleReliability of amniotic fluid volume estimation from ultrasonograms: intraobserver and interobserver variation before and after the establishment of criteria. Am J Obstet Gynecol 153 264–267 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BimD38zgsVI%3D Occurrence Handle3901763

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. RB Goldstein RA Filly (1988) ArticleTitleSonographic estimation of amniotic fluid volume: subjective assessment versus pocket measurements. J Ultrasound Med 7 363–369 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieA3c%2FosVA%3D Occurrence Handle3043015

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. TR Moore JE Cayle (1990) ArticleTitleThe amniotic fluid index in normal human pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 162 1168–1173 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BB2M3otlI%3D Occurrence Handle2187347

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. VA Barss BR Benacerraf FD Frigoletto (1984) ArticleTitleSecond trimestre oligohydramnios, a predictor of poor fetal outcome. Obstet Gynecol 64 608–610 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiqD3sjjsVU%3D Occurrence Handle6387555

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. M Bronshtein A Amit R Achiron et al. (1994) ArticleTitleThe early prenatal sonographic diagnosis of renal agenesis: techniques and possible pitfalls. Prenat Diagn 14 291–297 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuA2cvptVc%3D Occurrence Handle8066039

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. EL Potter (1965) ArticleTitleBilateral absence of ureters and kidneys. A report of 50 cases.. Obstet Gynecol 25 3–12 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CCqD2cnpslw%3D Occurrence Handle14242547

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. KD Wenstrom RA Williamson CP Weiner et al. (1991) ArticleTitleMagnetic resonance imaging of the fetuses with intracranial defects. Obstet Gynecol 77 529–532 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By6C28zos1M%3D Occurrence Handle2002974

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. MJ Newbould M Lendon AJ Barson (1994) ArticleTitleOligohydramnios sequence: the spectrum of renal malformations. Br J Obstet Gynecol 101 598–604 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuA3MflvFU%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. R Romero M Cullen P Graunum et al. (1985) ArticleTitleAntenatal diagnosis of renal anomalies with ultrasound III. Bilateral renal agenesis.. Am J Obstet Gynecol 151 38–43 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiqD1MvktlU%3D Occurrence Handle3881027

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. A Bankier M De Campo R Newell et al. (1985) ArticleTitleA pedigree study of perinatally lethal renal disease.. J Med Genet 22 104–111 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiqC1crkvVM%3D Occurrence Handle3886908

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. CO Carter (1984) ArticleTitleThe genetics of urinary tract malformations. J Genet Hum 32 23–29 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiuB2c7ntF0%3D Occurrence Handle6736926

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. K Zerres G Mucher L Bachner et al. (1998) ArticleTitlePrenatal diagnosis of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD): molecular genetics, clinical experience, and fetal morphology.. Am J Med Genet 76 137–144 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1096-8628(19980305)76:2<137::AID-AJMG6>3.3.CO;2-O Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c7ntV2htQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9511976

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. R Romero M Cullen P Jeanty et al. (1984) ArticleTitleThe diagnosis of congenital renal anomalies. II. Infantile polycystic kidney disease.. Am J Obstet Gynecol 150 259–262 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiqD38%2FisVU%3D Occurrence Handle6385715

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. A Reuss JW Wladimiroff PA Stewart et al. (1990) ArticleTitlePrenatal diagnosis by ultrasound in pregnancies at risk for autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease. Ultrasound Med Biol 16 355–359 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0301-5629(90)90065-K Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By%2BA2s7msFM%3D Occurrence Handle2204162

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. M Koptides CC Deltas (2000) ArticleTitleAutosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: molecular genetics and molecular pathogenesis. Hum Genet 107 115–126 Occurrence Handle10.1007/s004390000347 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXnsFCjs7k%3D Occurrence Handle11030408

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. PS Parfrey JC Bear J Morgan et al. (1990) ArticleTitleThe diagnosis and prognosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. N Engl J Med 323 1085–1090 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By6D3MritFM%3D Occurrence Handle2215575

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. DH Pretorius ME Lee ML Manco-Johnson et al. (1987) ArticleTitleDiagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in utero and in the young infant. J Ultrasound Med 6 249–255 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiiB38njs1A%3D Occurrence Handle3295293

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. A Reuss JW Wladimiroff MF Niermeyer (1991) ArticleTitleSonographic, clinical and genetic aspects of prenatal diagnosis of cystic kidney disease. Ultrasound Med Biol 17 687–694 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0301-5629(91)90100-B Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:By2C2c3jt1E%3D Occurrence Handle1781072

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. P Winyard L Chitty (2001) ArticleTitleDysplastic and polycystic kidney: diagnosis, associations and management. Prenat Diagn 21 924–935 Occurrence Handle10.1002/pd.208 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MnpvVOhuw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11746145

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. N Lazebnik MF Bellinger JE Ferguson et al. (1999) ArticleTitleInsights into the pathogenesis and natural history of fetuses with multicystic dysplastic kidney disease. Prenat Diagn 19 418–423 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1097-0223(199905)19:5<418::AID-PD561>3.0.CO;2-9 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1M3oslamtg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10360509

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. DA Nyberg P Jeanty I Glass (2003) Syndromes and multiple anomaly conditions. DA Nyberg JP McGahan DH Pretrorius G Pilu (Eds) Diagnostic imaging of fetal anomalies Lippincott Williams Wilkins Philadelphia 133–220

    Google Scholar 

  32. D Wellesley DT Howe (2001) ArticleTitleFetal renal anomalies and genetic syndromes. Prenat Diagn 21 992–1003 Occurrence Handle10.1002/pd.209 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MnpvVOgug%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11746154

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. W Sepulveda NJ Sebire A Souka et al. (1997) ArticleTitleDiagnosis of the Meckel-Gruber syndrome at eleven to fourteen weeks’ gestation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 176 316–319 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiB3crksVI%3D Occurrence Handle9065174

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. H Zellweger (1987) ArticleTitleThe cerebro-hepato-renal (Zellweger) syndrome and other peroxisome disorders. Dev Med Child Neurol 29 821–829 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieD1cvgtlY%3D Occurrence Handle3319743

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. CD Lehman DA Nyberg TC Winter et al. (1995) ArticleTitleTrisomy 13 syndrome: prenatal US findings in a review of 33 cases. Radiology 194 217–222 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqD1M%2FhtFE%3D Occurrence Handle7997556

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. AJ Ping AE Reeve DJ Law et al. (1989) ArticleTitleGenetic linkage of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome to 11p15. Am J Hum Genet 44 720–723 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiaB3crlsFE%3D Occurrence Handle2565083

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. M Minoja G Hirshman C Jones et al. (1995) ArticleTitleIncidence and causes of ESRD in children in the USA. J Am Soc Nephrol 162 1041–1044

    Google Scholar 

  38. B Atiyeh D Husmann M Baum (1993) ArticleTitleContralateral renal abnormalities in patients with renal agenesis and non cystic renal dysplasia. Pediatrics 91 812–815 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByyB3MbgtlQ%3D Occurrence Handle8464672

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. L Hill CS Peterson (1987) ArticleTitleAntenatal diagnosis of fetal pelvic kidneys. J Ultrasound Med 6 393–396 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiiB1cvhtF0%3D Occurrence Handle3302310

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. RM Decter (1997) ArticleTitleRenal duplication and fusion anomalies. Pediatr Clin North Am 44 1323–1341 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiH28jnsFE%3D Occurrence Handle9326964

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. AS Woolf PJ Winyard (1998) ArticleTitleAdvances in the cell biology and genetics of human kidney malformations. J Am Soc Nephrol 9 114–1125 Occurrence Handle9440095

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. K McHugh D Stringer D Hebert et al. (1991) ArticleTitleSimple renal cysts in children: diagnosis and follow-up with US. Radiology 78 383–385

    Google Scholar 

  43. BS Hertzberg DA Nyberg IR Neilsen (2003) Ventral wall defects. DA Nyberg JP McGahan DH Pretrorius G Pilu (Eds) Diagnostic imaging of fetal anomalies Lippincott Williams Wilkins Philadelphia 507–546

    Google Scholar 

  44. DT Wilcox LS Chitty (2001) ArticleTitleNon-visualization of fetal bladder: aetiology and management. Prenat Diagn 21 977–983 Occurrence Handle10.1002/pd.205.abs Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MnpvVOgtA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11746152

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. S Sairam A Al-Habib S Sasson B Thilaganathan (2001) ArticleTitleNatural history of fetal hydronephrosis diagnosed on mid-trimestre ultrasound. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 17 191–196 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-0705.2001.00333.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M3hvFCktw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11309166

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. PM Chudleigh LS Chitty M Pembrey S Campbell (2001) ArticleTitleThe association of aneuploidy and mild fetal pyelectasis in an unselected population: the results of a multicenter study. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 17 197–202 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-0705.2001.00360.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M3hvFCktA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11309167

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. LM Livera DSK Brookfield JA Egginton et al. (1989) ArticleTitleAntenatal ultrasonography to detect fetal abnormalities: a prospective screening programme. BMJ 298 1421–1423 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiaA38zmsVY%3D Occurrence Handle2502277

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. B Blyth HM Snyder JW Duckett (1993) ArticleTitleAntenatal diagnosis and subsequent management of hydronephrosis. J Urol 149 693–698 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByyB3cvisFE%3D Occurrence Handle8455225

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. TR Gunn D Mora P Pease (1995) ArticleTitleAntenatal diagnosis of urinary tract abnormalities by ultrasonography after 28 weeks’ gestation: incidence and outcome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 172 479–486 Occurrence Handle10.1016/0002-9378(95)90560-X Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqC28%2FgsV0%3D Occurrence Handle7856673

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. LS Chitty PM Chudleig M Pembrey S Campbell (1999) ArticleTitleRenal pathology in fetuses with mild pyelectasis: prediction of outcome. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 14 IssueIDsuppl 1 12 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1469-0705.1999.14010012.x Occurrence Handle10461332

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. DFM Thomas (1998) ArticleTitlePrenatally detected uropathies: epidemiological considerations. Br J Urol 81 IssueIDsuppl.2 8–12 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1464-410X.1998.0810s2008.x Occurrence Handle9602790

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Kleiner B, Callen PW, Filly FA. Sonographic analysis of the fetus with uretero-pelvic junction obstruction. Am J Radiol 148:359–363

  53. H Shinmoto K Kashima Y Yuasa et al. (2000) ArticleTitleMR Imaging of non-CNS fetal abnormalities: a pictorial essay. Radiographics 20 1227–1243 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvpvVWqsQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10992014

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. HY Liu HK Dhillon CK Yeung et al. (1994) ArticleTitleClinical outcome and management of prenatally diagnosed primary megaureters. J Urol 152 614–617 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuB1MzjslY%3D Occurrence Handle8021982

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. M Cendron ME D’Alton TM Crombleholme (1994) ArticleTitlePrenatal diagnosis and management of the fetus with hydronephrosis. Semin Perinatol 18 163–181 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByqD28vgslI%3D Occurrence Handle7973785

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. PM Cuckow MD Dinneen FA Risdon et al. (1997) ArticleTitleLong-term renal function in the posterior urethral valves, unilateral reflux and renal dysplasia syndrome. J Urol 158 1004–1007 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00005392-199709000-00083 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByiH3c3nsFY%3D Occurrence Handle9258130

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. SA Hayden PD Russ DH Pretorius et al. (1988) ArticleTitlePosterior urethral obstruction. Prenatal sonographic findings and clinical outcome in fourteen cases. J Ultrasound Med 7 371–375 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BieA3c%2FosVE%3D Occurrence Handle3043016

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. EF Avni M Hall F Collier C Schulman (2001) Anomalies of the renal pelvis and ureter. R Fotter (Eds) Medical radiology. Diagnostic imaging. Pediatric uroradiology Springer-Verlag New York 61–90

    Google Scholar 

  59. JJ Apuzzio W Unwin A Hádate et al. (1986) ArticleTitlePrenatal diagnosis of fetal renal mesoblastic nephroma. Am J Obstet Gynecol 154 636–637 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BimC2MngtFI%3D Occurrence Handle3006495

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. JP Walter JP Mcgahan (1985) ArticleTitleMesoblastic nephroma: prenatal sonographic detection. J Clin Ultrasound 13 686–689 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BimD1cnkslY%3D Occurrence Handle3001151

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. YC Liu YL Mai CC Chang et al. (1996) ArticleTitleThe presence of hydrops fetalis in a fetus with congenital mesoblastic nephroma. Prenat Diagn 16 363–365 Occurrence Handle10.1002/(SICI)1097-0223(199604)16:4<363::AID-PD858>3.0.CO;2-O Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymA387ivFc%3D Occurrence Handle8734816

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. HS Won E Jung PR Lee et al. (2002) ArticleTitlePrenatal detection of mesoblastic nephroma by sonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 19 197–199 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.0960-7692.2001.00620.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD387ksFKksg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11876815

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr. John Giba for his assistance with manuscript preparation and Mr. Octavio Barbero for his support on the preparation of the electronic version of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, UDIAT–Centre Diagnòstic, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, 08208 Sabadell, Spain

    C. Martín, A. Darnell, C. Durán & P. Bermúdez

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, 08208 Sabadell, Spain

    F. Mellado

  3. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí, 08208 Sabadell, Spain

    S. Rigol

Authors
  1. C. Martín
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. Darnell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. C. Durán
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. P. Bermúdez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. F. Mellado
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. S. Rigol
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Martín.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Martín, C., Darnell, A., Durán, C. et al. Magnetic resonance imaging of the intrauterine fetal genitourinary tract. Abdom Imaging 29, 286–302 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-003-0105-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-003-0105-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation