Imaging of the fetal brain and spine

Abstract

This chapter reviews the indications for prenatal imaging of the central nervous system (CNS) and illustrates the complementary roles of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The techniques employed by each modality and their respective strengths and weaknesses are presented. The normal CNS anatomy identified by each modality is discussed and we review the appearance of the most common pathologic CNS conditions investigated during pregnancy including ventriculomegaly, neural tube defects, agenesis of the corpus callosum, and malformations of the posterior fossa and cortical development.