The role of MRI in fetal ACC.

[Objective] To evaluate the role of MRI in fetal ACC in the cases which were diagnosed CNS anomalies by prenatal ultrasonography. [Methods] Patients were selected from the Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, from March 2006 to May 2008 who were 164 cases of pregnancies suspected of fetal CNS anomalies diagnosed by ultrasonography. MRI was done within 48 hours after ultrasonography. Retrospective analysis was carried out for the imaging characteristics of ultrasonography and MRI. [Results] Among 164 cases, ultrasonography found 134 cases of ventriculomagely (110 cases of severe VM and 24 cases of mild VM), 29 cases of posterior horn of lateral ventricle extension, 9 cases of suspected ACC. 13 cases were diagnosed as ACC by MRI, 2 cases full term delivered, the other 11 cases were induced. Autopsy was done in these 11 cases, all were found with the same results by MRI. Compared US with MRI, 3 cases were found ACC both by the US and MRI; 6 cases were suspected ACC by US, then confirmed ACC by MRI; 4 cases were not found ACC on US, but found by MRI. 5 cases were found other anomalies both on the US and MRI; 4 cases were found other anomalies only on MRI. 13 cases of ACC diagnosed by MRI showed 9 cases were severe VM and 4 mild VM. There were significant differences in ACC and severe VM (P﹤0.01). [Conclusion] When ACC is found or suspected by US or the posterior horn of lateral ventricle expansion by US or combined with severe VM, MRI examination is suggested to determine ACC and to get more clinical diagnosis of the disease.