MR Imaging of Fetal Brain

Abstract

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to evaluate normal fetal intracranial anatomy in axial, coronal, and sagittal planes. The T1 and T2 weighted images (WI) of aborted fetuses of varying gestational ages were correlated with anatomic sections. In the premature fetus three distinct intensity zones were seen on MR that were not visualized on gross specimens. Unmyelinated white matter displays low intensity on T1 WI and high intensity on T2 WI. Maturational changes of the brain were observed with advancing fetal age.