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Objective: To assess the feasibility and accuracy of 3D printing with prenatal three‐dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) in the diagnosis of fetal abnormalities. Methods: Fetuses initially diagnosed with various abnormalities were included in this retrospective study. The fetuses were examined by 3DUS, modeled, and 3D printed, and the dimensional accuracy of the 3D prints was analyzed. The effectiveness, demand, necessity of 3D printing, and the diagnostic accuracy of different methods were analyzed based on questionnaire responses from 40 senior ultrasound doctors and 40 postgraduate students. Results: A total of 12 fetuses with cleft lip and palate, spinal, heart, or brain abnormalities were included for detailed assessment. All deviations (mean deviation: 0.1 mm) between the original images and the final 3D prints lay within the consistency boundary (−1.12, 1.31 mm) (P >.05). In the subsequent analyses, 90.8% of the doctors and 94.2% of the students strongly agreed that 3D printing could precisely represent and depict fetal abnormalities. The average misdiagnosis rate of the doctors decreased from 5% to 0.4% after the application of 3D printing combined with 3DUS in comparison with 3DUS alone, and the corresponding value for the students dropped from 17.9% to 5.2%. Conclusions: The errors in modeling and 3D printing based on 3DUS were within acceptable limits, and 3D printing improved the diagnosis of various fetal abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To estimate the rate of unexpected brain abnormalities detected by in utero magnetic resonance imaging (iuMRI) in fetuses without abnormalities at ultrasonography (USS).Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study of pregnant women whose fetus had no structural brain (or body) abnormalities recognised on antenatal ultrasonography. Women were recruited from 12 centres across the UK and underwent iuMRI at 18 gestational weeks or more in the [blinded for review]. The imaging studies were reviewed by an experienced neuroradiologist. The positive and negative predictive values of both USS and iuMRI have been calculated by combining the results of this study with the results from the main [blinded for review] study.Results: One hundred and ninety-eight pregnant women were recruited and underwent iuMRI of 205 fetuses. Brain abnormalities were shown on iuMRI in two fetuses that were not recognised on USS (one case of a focal cortical abnormality and one case of mild ventriculomegaly). The negative predictive value for USS was 99.5% and 100% for iuMRI.Conclusions: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study comparing USS and iuMRI in low-risk pregnancies. USS has a comparatively high rule-out for fetal brain abnormalities and should remain the screening tool of choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MERIDIAN study examined whether in‐utero MRI (iuMRI) improves the accuracy of diagnosis of foetal brain abnormalities, when used as an adjunct to ultrasound anomaly scanning. A diagnostic iuMRI differs from routine ultrasound screening because of its infrequent use and scanning procedure. Nested within this trial, this sociological study explored the acceptability of iuMRI as a technology and its contribution to parental decision‐making. Our sociological interpretation of the role of iuMR images in prenatal diagnosis draws on narrative interviews with women (and some partners) who underwent MRI imaging at three different centres. Overall, participants found iuMRI helpful in decision‐making because it either confirmed or disconfirmed previous results, or provided additional information. Expectant couples experienced the iuMR imaging process as informative, but also as having emotive and practical value. Our paper extends the existing sociological literature on antenatal testing and visualising the foetus, by using iuMR diagnostic imaging to further explore the concept of the unborn entity. Our data suggest that alongside the iuMR images, the 'parental gaze' and accompanying commentary are used by parents to construct and transform foetal and parental identities despite ongoing uncertainties about, and shifting social contexts to their pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound is routinely used as a prenatal screening and diagnostic tool but has limitations. Some anomalies in the developing fetal brain can be difficult to detect, and in utero magnetic resonance imaging (iuMRI) is increasingly used as an adjunct to ultrasound. However, understandings of patient perspectives of iuMRI technology are still developing. Our qualitative study of 41 mothers who experienced iuMRI was embedded in a diagnostic accuracy trial and aimed to inform policy recommendations that might stem from the clinical findings. Our analysis suggests that iuMRI is seen as useful, offering valuable additional information and helping women make decisions about care options at a difficult time. However, patients’ experiences demonstrated the uncertainty and anxiety associated with the prenatal diagnosis (PND) process relating to brain anomalies including the challenges of their embodied contributions. Our findings suggest more could be done to reduce the impact on pregnant women during an already difficult, anxious period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cerebral malformations may lead to permanent postnatal sequels. The antenatal detection of anomalous or absent fetal sulci and gyri may indicate abnormal brain development and future neurological and psychomotor problems in that infant. The prenatal diagnosis of these conditions allows genetic counseling, psychological support of the parents and optimization of obstetric management. Diagnosis is usually based on two-dimensional obstetric ultrasound (2DUS) and eventually fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to confirm findings. Fetal three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) using the rendering mode has been recently introduced but has not yet been extensively tested in clinical practice. Context: This study reviewed and compared three imaging modalities, 2DUS, 3DUS, and MRI, in the analysis of the development of the main sulci and gyri of central nervous system of normal fetuses between 20 and 32 weeks' gestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atelencephaly is a rare lethal congenital brain malformation characterized by underdevelopment of the prosencephalon and is often accompanied by the facial features seen in some cases of holoprosencephaly, such as cyclopia. We report a case of atelencephaly in the fetus with characteristic ultrasound findings. In addition, we report the findings on fetal MRI, which have not been previously described in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]