Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) began in 1977 and uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images either as individual slices or reconstructed to give three dimensional (3D) views of specific anatomical regions or structures.
A strong magnetic field (up to 1.5 to 4 Tesla) is generated in the machine through which the body is passed (the centre of the "donut ring" seen in the above image). The earth's natural magnetic field is about 0.5 Gauss compared to 15,000 Gauss (1.5 Tesla) in the MRI.
MRI can be used in fetuses at 18 weeks gestational age or later and has been used mainly in brain and spinal diagnosis, and has also been used to investigate other abnormalities of pregnancy. (More? BrighamRAD Twin Gestation with Complete Hydatidiform Mole)
See also the related page MRI Movies which discusses MRI as a tool to study normal development.
Page Links: Introduction | Some Recent Findings | About MRI | WWW Links | References | Glossary
Laifer-Narin S, Budorick NE, Simpson LL, Platt LD. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging: a review. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Apr;19(2):151-156.
"Recent studies have shown that magnetic resonance imaging can add significantly to the prenatal diagnosis and management of congenital abnormalities. In addition, placental abnormalities have been diagnosed with greater accuracy."
Lee JH, Huh YM, Jun YW, Seo JW, Jang JT, Song HT, Kim S, Cho EJ, Yoon HG, Suh JS, Cheon J. Artificially engineered magnetic nanoparticles for ultra-sensitive molecular imaging. Nat Med. 2006 Dec 24;
"...These magnetism-engineered iron oxide (MEIO) nanoprobes, when conjugated with antibodies, showed enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sensitivity for the detection of cancer markers compared with probes currently available."
Papan C, Boulat B, Velan SS, Fraser SE, Jacobs RE. Time-lapse tracing of mitotic cell divisions in the early Xenopus embryo using microscopic MRI. Dev Dyn. 2006 Nov;235(11):3059-62.
"...the use of microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (mMRI) to noninvasively observe mitotic cell division of early blastomeres in the optically opaque Xenopus laevis embryo. ...Timing and orientation of the cleavages can be traced for five cell divisions to establish a cell lineage tree, including orientation and timing of the mitosis."
McEwing RL, Joelle R, Mohlo M, Bernard JP, Hillion Y, Ville Y. Prenatal diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1: sonographic and MRI findings. Prenat Diagn. 2006 Sep 18;
"Prenatal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a large oropharyngeal tumor, and cardiac and cranial abnormalities consistent with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) in a third-trimester fetus, which were confirmed on postmortem examination. Sonographic features of NF1 are generally nonspecific; MR examination provided significant additional information, facilitating prenatal diagnosis."
Links: Journal | Reviews | Articles | Online Textbooks | Search Textbooks | Search PubMed | Glossary
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (JMRI) "is an international journal devoted to the timely publication of basic and clinical research, educational and review articles, and other information related to the diagnostic applications of magnetic resonance."
Reviews
Laifer-Narin S, Budorick NE, Simpson LL, Platt LD. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging: a review. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2007 Apr;19(2):151-156.
Glenn OA, Barkovich AJ. Magnetic resonance imaging of the fetal brain and spine: an increasingly important tool in prenatal diagnosis, part 1. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2006 Sep;27(8):1604-11.
Glenn OA, Barkovich AJ. Magnetic resonance imaging of the fetal brain and spine: an increasingly important tool in prenatal diagnosis: part 2. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2006 Oct;27(9):1807-14.
Articles
McEwing RL, Joelle R, Mohlo M, Bernard JP, Hillion Y, Ville Y. Prenatal diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1: sonographic and MRI findings. Prenat Diagn. 2006 Sep 18;
Griffiths PD, Paley MN, Widjaja E, Taylor C, Whitby EH. In utero magnetic resonance imaging for brain and spinal abnormalities in fetuses. BMJ. 2005 Sep 10;331(7516):562-5.
Kok RD, de Vries MM, Heerschap A, van den Berg PP. Absence of harmful effects of magnetic resonance exposure at 1.5 T in utero during the third trimester of pregnancy: a follow-up study. Magn Reson Imaging. 2004 Jul;22(6):851-4.
Search PubMed: Nov 2006 "Prenatal Diagnosis Magnetic Resonance Imaging" 1,221 reference articles of which 257 were reviews.
Search PubMed Now: Prenatal Diagnosis Magnetic Resonance Imaging | Magnetic Resonance Imaging
1988 recommendations for neonates be assessed for follow-up care under the following conditions.
(see the NHMRC WWW Page)
Each section of the notes covering early development and specific systems contain references to specific abnormalities (on Page 2 of each notes section). The best source for Australian statistical data is the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare National Perinatal Statistics Unit, UNSW which publishes "Congenital Malformations Australia" every 2 years. Be aware that some congenital abnormalities, by their nature, affect multiple systems. In the USA, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) keeps and publishes relevant statistical information. A very difficult issue in abnormal development are the many different Ethical implications.
This current page is a link to Normal and Abnormal Development and Population Data.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Numbers |
For those wanting to see dynamic processes of development (and have a reasonably quick connection) then the Movies pages are good for watching changes occur.
The study of human development has relied extensively on studying the process in other model animals. For those wanting to see the process of development in other species then the other embryos pages are a good start.
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This page introduces Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic technique. See also the related page MRI Movies.
How do I find out if everything is OK with my developing baby and what are the tests that doctors carry out?
Prenatal diagnosis is based the various types of tests that can be carried out to inform parents and clinicians. With the rising age of mothers in Australia and new knowledge about family genetic history these tools are useful in helping clinicians check the developing fetus. Note that some tests, like ultrasound, are relatively non-invasive, informative, and carried out in many suburban clinics.
See also the Prenatal Diagnosis page NSW Pamphlet Checking your baby's health before birth.
Please email Dr Mark Hill if you wish to make a comment about this current project.