Diffusion-weighted MR imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient of the normal fetal lung: preliminary experience.

Objective: To assess if a correlation is present between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and normal lung maturation during gestation to define potential reference values as indicators of the lung development.

Methods: Our study included 50 pregnant women (gestational age, GA: 18-36 weeks), with normal fetal development of lungs assessed by a previous obstetric ultrasound (US), and then confirmed by our magnetic resonance (MR) examination. We used T2-weighted sequences, diffusion-weighted imaging sequences (DWI) and ADC maps for studying pulmonary tissue.

Potential role of fetal cardiac evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging: preliminary experience.

Objective: To report our experience with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in fetal heart evaluation.

Method: Two radiologists examined 31 MRI of fetuses with no ultrasound (US) evidence of cardio-thoracic anomalies. T2-weighted half-Fourier single-shot turbo spin-echo sequences were acquired for anatomic evaluation; fast imaging with steady-state free precession (TrueFISP) and cine-MR sequences with real-time steady-state free precession oriented like standard fetal echocardiographic projections were acquired for the characterization of cardiovascular morphology and function.

MRI with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) assessment in the evaluation of normal and abnormal fetal kidneys: preliminary experience.

Objective: To investigate apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping with the measurement of renal tissue ADC value of normal and pathological fetal kidneys at various gestational ages (GAs).

Methods: Fifty pregnant women underwent magnetic resonance images (MRI) after ultrasound (US) for suspected fetal genitourinary disorders (16) or for suspected disorders in other organs (34). A multiplanar study of urinary system was obtained by using conventional T2-weighted sequences and echo planar imaging (EPI); Diffusion-weighted images and ADC maps were evaluated.

Fatty changes as a misleading factor in the evaluation with ultrasound of superficial lymph nodes.

The object of this paper was to investigate lipoplastic lymphadenopathy in superficial locations with ultrasound. We selected 110 patients with a total number of 247 nodes with a central hyperechoic area extended for more than one third of the transverse diameter. We considered gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and associated disease such as thyroid disorders and diabetes.