Venolymphatic malformations: prenatal diagnosis using magnetic resonance imaging, perinatal outcomes and long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Venolymphatic malformations are benign. Fetal MRI can more precisely demonstrate an infiltrative pattern of malformations than US. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate perinatal outcomes and long-term follow-up of fetal venolymphatic malformations treated in different medical facilities using fetal MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study evaluated 20 pregnant women between 22 weeks and 37 weeks of gestation who were referred from different institutions. They presented with fetuses with various diagnoses of cystic masses on routine US. The cases were studied using MRI. We analyzed prenatal data, perinatal outcomes and long-term follow-up. RESULTS: We reviewed the MRI scans of 20 patients with venolymphatic malformation. Referral diagnosis was changed in 40% (8/20) of cases, with postnatal concordance of 100% (20/20). Moreover, 65% (13/20) presented with venolymphatic malformation in more than one body segment. The neck was affected in 70% (14/20) of fetuses, while the head and thorax were affected in 30% (6/20) and 45% (9/20), respectively. There were intrathoracic lesions in 35% (7/20), lesions in the abdomen in 30% (6/20), and lesions in the perineum and extremities in 10% (2/20) each. Tracheal displacement, neck deflection and anatomical displacement caused by tumoral compression were present in 15% (3/20) of cases. Moreover, 25% (5/20) of newborns required neonatal intensive care unit admission, and all presented with cervical or thoracic venolymphatic malformation. Furthermore, 50% (10/20) of cases presented with complete resolution after medical therapy. The intrathoracic and cervical residuals (35%, 7/20) were monitored and treated. CONCLUSION: MRI showed good correlation with postnatal examination of venolymphatic malformation, was useful in the differential diagnosis of fetal cysts on US, and presented a significant postnatal correlation with thoracic infiltration. The outcomes of prenatally diagnosed venolymphatic malformations are good despite the varying protocols among medical facilities.

The role of a novel magnetic resonance imaging sequence in the evaluation of the fetal skeleton: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including a novel MRI sequence-the modified volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE)-in the characterization of the fetal skeleton. This novel sequence was useful for reconstructing three-dimensional images of the skeleton. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 22 pregnant women whose fetuses had shown congenital abnormalities on ultrasound examinations. The women underwent prenatal fetal MRI in a 1.5-T scanner with a T2-weighted modified VIBE sequence. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the fetal skeleton were performed manually on the instrument itself or via an interactive pen-tablet workstation. RESULTS: Three-dimensional reconstructions of the fetal skeleton were performed after the acquisition of modified VIBE MRI sequences, and it was possible to characterize the fetal skeleton in all MRI examinations. CONCLUSION: A detailed evaluation of the three-dimensional reconstructions of fetal skeleton performed after acquisition of a modified VIBE MRI sequence allowed a full characterization of the skeleton. However, improvements to the proposed sequence should be addressed in future studies.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi demonstrar o papel da ressonância magnética (RM) incluindo uma nova sequência chamada de volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE)) modificada que permita a reconstrução tridimensional para avaliação do esqueleto fetal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram analisadas 22 mulheres grávidas portando fetos com anomalias congênitas, não exclusivamente esqueléticas, as quais foram observadas em exame de ultrassonografia prévia. Para a aquisição das imagens de RM utilizou-se aparelho 1,5 T com a sequência VIBE modificada, ponderada em T2. Reconstruções tridimensionais foram feitas, manualmente, no próprio aparelho ou em uma estação de trabalho pen tablet interativo. RESULTADOS: Foi possível demonstrar a reconstrução tridimensional do esqueleto fetal por RM, com base em uma aquisição volumétrica da sequência VIBE modificada em todos os exames de RM do esqueleto fetal. CONCLUSÃO: Uma avaliação detalhada do esqueleto fetal pelas reconstruções tridimensionais realizadas após a aquisição da imagem usando sequência de RM VIBE modificada permitiu uma avaliação completa do esqueleto fetal, entretanto, as melhorias nessas sequências devem ser o foco de estudos futuros.

The role of a novel magnetic resonance imaging sequence in the evaluation of the fetal skeleton: a pilot study / O papel de uma nova sequência de ressonância magnética na avaliação do esqueleto fetal: um estudo piloto

Abstract Objective: We aimed to study the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including a novel MRI sequence-the modified volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE)-in the characterization of the fetal skeleton. This novel sequence was useful for reconstructing three-dimensional images of the skeleton. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 22 pregnant women whose fetuses had shown congenital abnormalities on ultrasound examinations. The women underwent prenatal fetal MRI in a 1.5-T scanner with a T2-weighted modified VIBE sequence. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the fetal skeleton were performed manually on the instrument itself or via an interactive pen-tablet workstation. Results: Three-dimensional reconstructions of the fetal skeleton were performed after the acquisition of modified VIBE MRI sequences, and it was possible to characterize the fetal skeleton in all MRI examinations. Conclusion: A detailed evaluation of the three-dimensional reconstructions of fetal skeleton performed after acquisition of a modified VIBE MRI sequence allowed a full characterization of the skeleton. However, improvements to the proposed sequence should be addressed in future studies.

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi demonstrar o papel da ressonância magnética (RM) incluindo uma nova sequência chamada de volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE)) modificada que permita a reconstrução tridimensional para avaliação do esqueleto fetal. Materiais e Métodos: Foram analisadas 22 mulheres grávidas portando fetos com anomalias congênitas, não exclusivamente esqueléticas, as quais foram observadas em exame de ultrassonografia prévia. Para a aquisição das imagens de RM utilizou-se aparelho 1,5 T com a sequência VIBE modificada, ponderada em T2. Reconstruções tridimensionais foram feitas, manualmente, no próprio aparelho ou em uma estação de trabalho pen tablet interativo. Resultados: Foi possível demonstrar a reconstrução tridimensional do esqueleto fetal por RM, com base em uma aquisição volumétrica da sequência VIBE modificada em todos os exames de RM do esqueleto fetal. Conclusão: Uma avaliação detalhada do esqueleto fetal pelas reconstruções tridimensionais realizadas após a aquisição da imagem usando sequência de RM VIBE modificada permitiu uma avaliação completa do esqueleto fetal, entretanto, as melhorias nessas sequências devem ser o foco de estudos futuros.

Aspectos tomográficos da consolidação lobar na tuberculose pulmonar primária / Tomographic findings of lobar consolidation in primary pulmonary tuberculosis

OBJETIVO: Descrever os aspectos tomográficos da tuberculose pulmonar primária manifestada inicialmente como consolidação lobar. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: O trabalho foi realizado no Hospital Municipal Jesus, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, no período de 2002 a 2006, avaliando-se retrospectivamente os aspectos tomográficos de quatro crianças de 3 a 14 meses de idade com tuberculose pulmonar primária manifestada inicialmente como consolidação lobar. RESULTADOS: O padrão radiológico mais frequente foi a consolidação lobar com calcificações, escavações e áreas de necrose de permeio, associada a abaulamento da cissura. Sinais de disseminação broncogênica e linfadenomegalia foram observados em todas elas. Consolidação de aspecto pseudotumoral, com efeito de massa, foi observada em um caso. CONCLUSÃO: Nos casos estudados observou-se que a tuberculose pulmonar primária manifestada como consolidação lobar apresenta imagens características à tomografia computadorizada, como escavações, áreas hipodensas e calcificações de permeio à consolidação. A associação com linfonodomegalias com centro necrótico e sinais de disseminação broncogênica reforçam o diagnóstico de tuberculose.

OBJECTIVE: To describe tomographic findings of lobar consolidation as early manifestation of primary pulmonary tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was developed at Hospital Municipal Jesus, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, in the period between 2002 and 2006, retrospectively evaluating tomographic findings in four children aged from 3 to 14 months with lobar consolidation as an early manifestation of primary pulmonary tuberculosis. RESULTS: The most frequently found radiological pattern was lobar consolidation with calcifications, cavitation and intermingle necrotic areas, associated with bulging fissure. Signs of bronchogenic dissemination and lymph node enlargement were observed in all of the four children. Consolidation with a pseudotumor aspect and masslike effect was observed in one case. CONCLUSION: The cases included in the present study have demonstrated that primary pulmonary tuberculosis manifested as lobar consolidation presents typical tomographic images such as cavitation, hypodense areas and calcifications intermingled with consolidation. The association with lymph node enlargement with central necrosis and signs of bronchogenic dissemination reinforce the diagnosis of tuberculosis.