The diagnostic value of prenatal MRI on jejunal and ileal atresia in fetus / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the value of MRI in the diagnosis of jejunal and ileal atresia in fetus.Methods:This study included thirteen neonates with surgically and pathologically confirmed jejunal or ileal atresia without other gastrointestinal diseases treated in our institution between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2018. MRI was performed on all fetuses subsequent to routine prenatal sonographic examinations indicated bowel dilation or ascites. MR images were analyzed by two radiologists,and MRI diagnosis was compared with surgical and pathological results.Results:On prenatal MRI, eight fetuses exhibited single or multiple dilated small bowel loops, one of them exhibited a cystic mass in the abdomen; five fetuses exhibited massive ascites, and collected bowels. On final surgical and pathological diagnosis, nine fetuses had ileal atresia, five of them had intestinal perforation; four fetuses had jejunal atresia, one of them had intestinal perforation and a meconium pseudocyst. Among the 7 cases without intestinal perforation, the atresia location was diagnosed correctly in 5 cases. The 6 fetuses with intestinal perforation were diagnosed as intestinal atresia and meconium peritonitis by prenatal MRI, but the location of atresia could not be determined.Conclusions:Jejunal and ileal atresia have their characteristic manifestations on prenatal MRI. The location of atresia can be inferred from the distribution of amniotic fluid and meconium in the intestine. Prenatal MRI has a complementary role in the assessment of fetal bowel abnormalities after standard obstetric ultrasound.