Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Computational Imaging Research Lab, Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2023 Sep;62(3):405-413. doi: 10.1002/uog.26232.
To provide quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) super-resolution-based three-dimensional volumetric reference data on the growth dynamics of the ganglionic eminence (GE) relative to cortical and total fetal brain volumes (TBV).
This was a retrospective study of fetuses without structural central nervous system anomalies or other confounding comorbidities that were referred for fetal MRI. Super-resolution reconstructions of 1.5- and 3-Tesla T2-weighted images were generated. Semiautomatic segmentation of TBV and cortical volume and manual segmentation of the GE were performed. Cortical volume, TBV and GE volume were quantified and three-dimensional reconstructions were generated to visualize the developmental dynamics of the GE.
Overall, 120 fetuses that underwent 127 MRI scans at a mean gestational age of 27.23 ± 4.81 weeks (range, 20-37 weeks) were included. In the investigated gestational-age range, GE volume ranged from 74.88 to 808.75 mm and was at its maximum at 21 gestational weeks, followed by a linear decrease (R = 0.559) throughout the late second and third trimesters. A pronounced reduction in GE volume relative to cortical volume and TBV occurred in the late second trimester, with a decline in this reduction observed in the third trimester (R = 0.936 and 0.924, respectively). Three-dimensional rendering allowed visualization of a continuous change in the shape and size of the GE throughout the second and third trimesters.
Even small compartments of the fetal brain, which are not easily accessible by standardized two-dimensional modalities, can be assessed precisely by super-resolution processed fetal MRI. The inverse growth dynamics of GE volume compared with TBV and cortical volume reflects the transitory nature and physiological involution of this (patho-)physiologically important brain structure. The normal development and involution of the GE is mandatory for normal cortical development. Pathological changes of this transient organ precede impairment of cortical structures, and their detection may allow an earlier diagnosis of such anomalies. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
提供基于磁共振成像（MRI）超分辨率的定量三维容积参考数据，以了解神经节隆起（GE）相对于皮质和总胎儿脑体积（TBV）的生长动态。
这是一项对无结构性中枢神经系统异常或其他混杂合并症的胎儿进行回顾性研究，这些胎儿被转介行胎儿 MRI 检查。生成了 1.5 和 3 特斯拉 T2 加权图像的超分辨率重建。进行 TBV 和皮质体积的半自动分割以及 GE 的手动分割。量化皮质体积、TBV 和 GE 体积，并生成三维重建以可视化 GE 的发育动态。
总共纳入了 120 例在平均妊娠龄 27.23±4.81 周（范围为 20-37 周）时接受了 127 次 MRI 扫描的胎儿。在所研究的妊娠龄范围内，GE 体积范围为 74.88 至 808.75mm³，在 21 孕周时达到最大值，随后在第二和第三孕期呈线性下降（R=0.559）。GE 体积相对于皮质体积和 TBV 的显著减少发生在第二孕期晚期，而在第三孕期观察到这种减少的下降（分别为 R=0.936 和 0.924）。三维渲染可观察到 GE 在第二和第三孕期形状和大小的连续变化。
即使是胎儿脑的小隔间，二维标准模态也难以触及，也可以通过超分辨率处理的胎儿 MRI 进行精确评估。与 TBV 和皮质体积相比，GE 体积的逆向生长动态反映了该（病理）生理重要脑结构的短暂性和生理性退化。GE 的正常发育和退化对于正常的皮质发育是必需的。该短暂器官的病理性改变先于皮质结构的损伤，对其的检测可能允许更早诊断此类异常。
