Magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of severe fetal renal anomalies.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in fetuses with severe renal anomalies. This was a case-control study that compared MRI findings in fetuses with suspected severe renal anomalies with gestational age-matched control fetuses. MRI was performed with T2-weighted single-shot fast-spin echo sequences. Each MRI was reviewed by an investigator who was blinded to clinical information. There were 2 cases of bilateral renal agenesis, 2 cases if bilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney disease, 2 cases if unilateral renal agenesis and contralateral multicystic dysplastic kidney disease, 2 cases if polycystic kidney disease, and 2 cases of early membrane rupture/normal kidneys. Fetuses with lethal renal anomalies had a characteristic bladder appearance (signal void [dark]), whereas control fetuses had bright signal in both bladder and renal pelvis (P < .001). Both cases of early membrane rupture/normal kidneys had bright bladder signal, but 1 case did not have bright signal in the renal pelvis. Fetuses with lethal renal anomalies had signal void in the bladder region on MRI.