Micro-CT yields high image quality in human fetal post-mortem imaging despite maceration.
BMC Med Imaging
; 21(1): 128, 2021 08 24.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34429085
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Current clinical post-mortem imaging techniques do not provide sufficiently high-resolution imaging for smaller fetuses after pregnancy loss. Post-mortem micro-CT is a non-invasive technique that can deliver high diagnostic accuracy for these smaller fetuses. The purpose of the study is to identify the main predictors of image quality for human fetal post-mortem micro-CT imaging.METHODS:
Human fetuses were imaged using micro-CT following potassium tri-iodide tissue preparation, and axial head and chest views were assessed for image quality on a Likert scale by two blinded radiologists. Simple and multivariable linear regression models were performed with demographic details, iodination, tissue maceration score and imaging parameters as predictor variables.RESULTS:
258 fetuses were assessed, with median weight 41.7 g (2.6-350 g) and mean gestational age 16 weeks (11-24 weeks). A high image quality score (> 6.5) was achieved in 95% of micro-CT studies, higher for the head (median = 9) than chest (median = 8.5) imaging. The strongest negative predictors of image quality were increasing maceration and body weight (p < 0.001), with number of projections being the best positive imaging predictor.CONCLUSIONS:
High micro-CT image quality score is achievable following early pregnancy loss despite fetal maceration, particularly in smaller fetuses where conventional autopsy may be particularly challenging. These findings will help establish clinical micro-CT imaging services, addressing the need for less invasive fetal autopsy methods.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Autopsia
/
Tórax
/
Encéfalo
/
Microtomografia por Raio-X
/
Feto
/
Cabeça
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
BMC Med Imaging
Assunto da revista:
DIAGNOSTICO POR IMAGEM
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido