Research Article
Coral Bravo, Yolanda Ruiz, Lui
Abstract
Purpose: To compare axial view images obtained with fetal ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when applying the Cardiovascular System Sonographic Evaluation Algorithm (CASSEAL). Materials and method: CASSEAL is an US algorithm consisting on the acquisition of 9 different axial views of the fetal abdomen and chest, from the umbilical vein to the subclavian arteries. It was designed for a thorough US assessment of the extended fetal cardiovascular system. Feasibility and reproducibility of CASSEAL have already been proven; however, its application in fetal MRI has yet to be established. A fetal MRI was performed to a 25 week-old fetus with ventriculomegaly (11 mm) in order to obtain the 9 axial views required by CASSEAL. Subsequently, a comparison between both imaging techniques was performed for each view. Results: The comparison of the images obtained with these two imaging techniques showed a good correlation in the identification of cardiovascular anatomical structures. Conclusion: CASSEAL US axial views can be obtained in fetal MRI and correlation between the 2 techniques is good. This finding suggests that MRI may be a useful complement to US in the assessment of fetal cardiovascular anomalies using the same views by which sonographers assess fetal cardiovascular structures.