Ultrasonographic measurement of mediastinal shift angle for the prediction of postnatal survival in fetuses with isolated left congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the study was to determine if ultrasonographic measurement of mediastinal shift angle (MSA) can predict postnatal survival in fetuses with isolated left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). This relatively new technique may be used to enhance antenatal prediction of survival in fetuses with CDH. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Philippine Children's Medical Center involving 16 cases with prenatally diagnosed isolated left CDH and 60 controls with normal fetuses. The cases with prenatally diagnosed isolated left CDH were allocated into two groups: Group A (survivors) and group B (non-survivors). For all fetuses (study and control groups), MSA was determined independently by two operators. The diagnostic capacity of MSA was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve. RESULTS: The mean MSA for the control group was 17.18°. Among CDH cases, the mean MSA was 33.04° and 37.57° for survivors and non-survivors, respectively. Results showed that MSA significantly predicted the probability of neonatal survival status (OR = 0.46, P = 0.021). The best cutoff score of MSA based on the receiver operating characteristic curve was 33.80° with 87.50% sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: MSA has the potential to enhance antenatal prediction of survival in fetuses with CDH and may serve as a guide in prenatal counseling and evaluation of the need for in-utero treatment or postnatal procedures.

Fetal MRI-Based Mediastinal Shift Angle (MSA) and Percentage Area of Left Ventricle (pALV) as Prognostic Parameters for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

OBJECTIVE: Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is broadly used as a method for assessing prognosis in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). In addition to the extent of lung hypoplasia, determined by measuring the lung volume, cardiac impairment due to pulmonary hypertension and left cardiac hypoplasia is decisive for the prognosis. The percentage area of left ventricle (pALV) describes the percentage of the inner area of the left ventricle in relation to the total area, whereas the mediastinal shift angle (MSA) quantifies the extent of cardiac displacement. The prognostic value of pALV and MSA should be evaluated in terms of survival, the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy, and the development of chronic lung disease (CLD). METHODS: In a total of 122 fetal MRIs, the MSA and pALV were measured retrospectively and complete outcome parameters were determined regarding survival for all 122 subjects, regarding ECMO therapy in 109 cases and about the development of CLD in 78 cases. The prognostic value regarding the endpoints was evaluated using logistic regression and ROC analysis. RESULTS: The MSA was significantly higher in children who received ECMO therapy (p = 0.0054), as well as in children who developed CLD (p = 0.0018). ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.68 for ECMO requirement and 0.77 with respect to CLD development. The pALV showed a tendency towards higher levels in children who received ECMO therapy (p = 0.0824). The MSA and the pALV had no significant effect on survival (MSA: p = 0.4293, AUC = 0.56; pALV: p = 0.1134, AUC = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: The MSA determined in fetal MRI is a suitable prognostic parameter for ECMO requirement and CLD development in CDH patients and can possibly be used as a supplement to the established parameters.

Mediastinal shift angle (MSA) measurement with MRI: a simple and effective tool for prenatal risk stratification in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive value of mediastinal shift angle (MSA) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 87 fetuses with prenatally diagnosed left-sided CDH (LCDH) and 88 controls. MSA was measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Lung area to head circumference ratio (LHR), ratio of the observed/expected LHR (O/E LHR), total fetal lung volume (TFLV), and observed/expected total fetal lung volume (O/E TFLV) were also measured. Correlation of MSA with pulmonary hypertension (PH), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) use, duration of hospitalization and survival in neonates with CDH was analyzed. Performance of MSA in prediction of postnatal outcomes was compared with LHR, O/E LHR, TFLV, and O/E TFLV. RESULTS: There were significant differences in MSA values not only between the CDH group and the control group but also in CDH patients with different survival outcomes. MSA was inversely correlated with O/E LHR, O/E TFLV, and TFLV. MSA, LHR, O/E LHR, TFLV, and O/E TFLV could all be used to predict survival of CDH patients. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the test performance of MSA was similar to that of TFLV, O/E TFLV, and O/E LHR, but superior to that of LHR. MSA was also correlated with PH, need for ECMO support, and duration of hospitalization. CONCLUSION: MRI measurement of MSA can provide various prognostic information for prenatally diagnosed LCDH, in addition to postnatal survival. The test performance of MSA is similar to TFLV, O/E TFLV, and O/E LHR. KEY POINTS: • Mediastinal shift angle (MSA) can be measured quickly and reproducibly on MRI images. • MSA could provide more prognostic information other than postnatal survival for LCDH with good test performance. • MSA should be incorporated into prenatal risk stratification for LCDH to improve planning of postnatal management.

Preliminary study on the value of fetal MRI lung volume and mediastinal shift angle for predicting prognosis of left congenital diaphragmatic hernia / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the value of fetal lung volume and mediastinal shift angle (MSA) based on fetal MRI in predicting the prognosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).Methods:Fetuses with left CDH that did fetal MRI in Xinhua Hospital Affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2016 to January 2022 were retrospectively collected. There were 65 patients, and their gestational age was 29 (26, 35) weeks when they were diagnosed with left CDH by MRI. Observed fetal lung volume and MSA were measured based on fetal MRI, and observed/expected lung volume (o/eFLV) based on gestational age was calculated. The clinical data were collected from birth to discharge, and patients were divided into survival group and death group in case of prognosis at discharge, with 54 cases in the survival group and 11 cases in the death group. The student′s t test was used to compare the difference of o/eFLV and MSA between the survival group and the death group, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of o/eFLV and MSA in predicting the prognosis of left CDH. Results:The o/eFLV of the survival group was 51.5%±18.3%, higher than that of the death group (27.8%±4.4%), and the difference was significant ( t=8.29, P<0.001). The MSA of the survival group was 33.1°±1.2°, lower than that of the death group (41.8°±2.7°), and the difference was significant ( t=-11.15, P<0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of o/eFLV to predict the fetal survival or death was 0.939 (95%CI 0.851-0.983), the cutoff value was 33.8%, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity was 88.9%. The AUC of MSA was 0.998 (95%CI 0.941-1.000), the cutoff value was 37.2°, the sensitivity was 100%, the specificity was 98.2%. Conclusions:The o/eFLV and MSA that were measured based on fetal MRI can effectively predict the fetus′s prognosis with left CDH.

Mediastinal Shift Angle in Fetal MRI Is Associated With Prognosis, Severity, and Cardiac Underdevelopment in Left Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.

Objective: Fetal MRI has played an essential role in the evaluation and management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We aimed to investigate whether the mediastinal shift angle (MSA) value was associated with the prognosis and the severity of left CDH and explore the relationship between the MSA value and fetal and neonatal cardiac structures and functions. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2020, the fetal MSA values of left CDH in our institution were retrospectively measured. Other prenatal parameters and clinical outcomes of them are collected. We also measured the fetal and postnatal echocardiography parameters to analyze linear correlation with MSA values. Results: A total of 94 patients with left CDH were included. MSA was significantly higher in the deceased group than in the survived group [((38.3 ± 4.7)° vs. 32.3 ± 5.3)°, p < 0.001]. The MSA value of the high-risk defect group [CDH Study Group (CDHSG) C/D type] was significantly higher than that of the low-risk defect group [CDHSG A/B type; (36.0 ± 4.9)° vs. (30.1 ± 4.8)°, p < 0.001]. The AUC for severity was 0.766 (95% CI, 0.661-0.851, p < 0.0001) and the best cut-off value for MSA was 30.7°. Higher MSA correlates with decreased fetal Z-score of left ventricle (LV) width, the diameter of the mitral valve (MV), peak velocity of MV and tricuspid valve (TV), and neonatal LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and velocity of tricuspid regurgitation (TR; p < 0.05). Conclusion: A high MSA value can effectively predict high-risk defects and high mortality of left CDH. The higher the MSA value, the worse the neonatal conditions, the respiratory and cardiovascular prognosis. The MSA values could reflect the level of left heart underdevelopment, including decreased dimensions and diastolic dysfunction of the left ventricle.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has largely increased our knowledge and predictive accuracy of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in the fetus. Thanks to its technical advantages, better anatomical definition, and superiority in fetal lung volume estimation, fetal MRI has been demonstrated to be superior to 2D and 3D ultrasound alone in CDH diagnosis and outcome prediction. This is of crucial importance for prenatal counseling, risk stratification, and decision-making approach. Furthermore, several quantitative and qualitative parameters can be evaluated simultaneously, which have been associated with survival, postnatal course severity, and long-term morbidity. CONCLUSION: Fetal MRI will further strengthen its role in the near future, but it is necessary to reach a consensus on indications, methodology, and data interpretation. In addition, it is required data integration from different imaging modalities and clinical courses, especially for predicting postnatal pulmonary hypertension. This would lead to a comprehensive prognostic assessment. WHAT IS KNOWN: • MRI plays a key role in evaluating the fetal lung in patients with CDH. • Prognostic assessment of CDH is challenging, and advanced imaging is crucial for a complete prenatal assessment and counseling. WHAT IS NEW: • Fetal MRI has strengthened its role over ultrasound due to its technical advantages, better anatomical definition, superior fetal lung volume estimation, and outcome prediction. • Imaging and clinical data integration is the most desirable strategy and may provide new MRI applications and future research opportunities.

Fetal MRI mediastinal shift angle and respiratory and cardiovascular pharmacological support in newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

In newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), the mediastinal shift caused by the herniated organs negatively affects lung development. Assessment of the fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mediastinal shift angle (MSA) was shown to have an inverse correlation with the total fetal lung volume (TFLV), being associated with neonatal survival. However, a possible association with postnatal morbidity has never been investigated. We hypothesize that the degree of the mediastinal shift could be associated with higher respiratory and cardiocirculatory impairment, requiring intensive treatments and extended hospitalization in survivors. We retrospectively consider a cohort of isolated, left-sided CDH, for whom we calculated the MSA and the observed/expected (O/E) TFLV at fetal MRI. We performed a data collection regarding inotropic or vasoactive support, treatment with pulmonary vasodilators, mechanical ventilation, and length of stay. General linear models were performed. The MSA and O/E TFLV were inversely correlated (Pearson's coefficient - 0.65, p < 0.001), and deceased patients showed higher MSA values then survivors (p = 0.011). Among survivors, an increase in MSA was associated with longer pharmacological treatments (dobutamine: p = 0.016; dopamine: p = 0.049; hydrocortisone: p = 0.003; nitric oxide: p = 0.002; sildenafil: p = 0.039; milrinone: p = 0.039; oxygen: p = 0.066), and mechanical ventilation (p = 0.005), with an increasing trend in the length of hospitalization (p = 0.089).Conclusion: The MSA indirectly reflects lung hypoplasia and is associated with a higher neonatal intensity of cares. However, further studies are needed to consolidate the results.Trial registration: The study is an exploratory post hoc analysis of the registered NeoAPACHE protocol at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04396028. What is Known: • In congenital diaphragmatic hernia, the lung size, liver position, and defect side are the most common prenatal prognostic parameters used in clinical practice for morbidity and mortality prediction. • Lung hypoplasia, strictly associated with lung size, is estimated by observed/expected lung to head ratio and observed/expected total fetal lung volume with prenatal ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. What is New: • A new, faster, more straightforward, and less operator-dependent tool to assess CDH severity could be the mediastinal shift angle calculation with fetal magnetic resonance imaging. • Postnatal clinical severity, considered as a postnatal cardiovascular and respiratory impairment that indirectly reflects lung hypoplasia, is associated with an increased mediastinal shift angle calculation.

Comparison of mediastinal shift angles obtained with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses with isolated left sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVES: To compare ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of mediastinal shift angles (MSAs) in fetuses affected by isolated left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The use of MRI-MSA and US-MSA as prognostic factor for postnatal survival in fetal left CDH was also explored. METHODS: This was an observational study of 29 fetuses with prenatally diagnosed isolated left CDH, assessed with both US and MRI examinations between January 2015 and December 2018. The US-MSA measurements performed within 2 weeks from the MRI assessment were considered for the analysis. The primary outcome was the postnatal survival rate. RESULTS: No significant difference between US and MRI MSAs was detected (p = .419). Among the 29 cases, there were 21 alive infants, for an overall postnatal survival rate of 72.41%. After stratifying for postnatal survival, the best cutoffs with the highest discriminatory power in terms of sensibility and specificity were 42.1° for the US-MSA and 39.1° for the MRI-MSA. The performance of MRI-MSA in predicting postnatal survival was close to that of US-MSA in terms of sensitivity (62.5 versus 50.0%), specificity (80.9 versus 90.5%), positive predictive value (55.6 versus 66.7%), negative predictive value (85.0 versus 82.6%) and accuracy (75.9 versus 79.3%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two modalities (p > .05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: MRI and US can be interchangeably used for the assessment of MSA in prenatally diagnosed isolated left CDH. Moreover, MSA measured by both US and MRI was confirmed to be correlated with perinatal outcome in terms of survival.