MRI Evaluation and Safety in the Developing Brain

Overview

Journal Semin Perinatol

Specialty Gynecology & Obstetrics

Date 2015 Mar 7

PMID 25743582

Citations 47

Authors

Shannon Tocchio

Beth Kline-Fath

Emanuel Kanal

Vincent J Schmithorst

Ashok Panigrahy

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of the developing brain has dramatically increased over the last decade. Faster acquisitions and the development of advanced MRI sequences, such as magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), perfusion imaging, functional MR imaging (fMRI), and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), as well as the use of higher magnetic field strengths has made MRI an invaluable tool for detailed evaluation of the developing brain. This article will provide an overview of the use and challenges associated with 1.5-T and 3-T static magnetic fields for evaluation of the developing brain. This review will also summarize the advantages, clinical challenges, and safety concerns specifically related to MRI in the fetus and newborn, including the implications of increased magnetic field strength, logistics related to transporting and monitoring of neonates during scanning, and sedation considerations, and a discussion of current technologies such as MRI conditional neonatal incubators and dedicated small-foot print neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) scanners.

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