Value of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging in the prediction of postnatal outcome in fetuses with diaphragmatic hernia.

The article explores the potential value of antenatally determined total fetal lung volume (TFLV) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prediction of the postnatal survival in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Multiple regression analysis showed that significant predictors of survival were the presence or absence of intrathoracic herniation of the liver and observed to expected (o/e) TFLV. Results conclude that MRI-based o/e TFLV is useful in the prediction of postnatal survival.