Advancements in MRI application in the morphological development of fetal cerebral venous system: a review

Abstract

The cerebral venous system plays a critical role in fetal brain development. Accurate assessment of the structure and function of the cerebral venous system is essential for early diagnosing fetal conditions related to cerebral venous system abnormalities and monitoring the brain health of fetuses in high-risk pregnancies. It provides reliable prenatal counseling to parents, enabling them to make informed prenatal choices. However, there is a lack of research on the fetal cerebral venous system, making its developmental process poorly understood. In recent years, the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become increasingly mature in the field of fetal cranial and brain disorders due to its non-invasive characteristics and high sensitivity. The examination sequences are constantly being updated, playing an increasingly important role in the evaluation of the fetal cerebral venous system. This article presents the application value of MRI in the diagnosis of common fetal cerebral venous system abnormalities. It specifically reviews the application of conventional prenatal MRI, susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI), and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in the assessment of the structure and function of the fetal cerebral venous system. Additionally, the article provides an overview of the prospects and potential future directions in this field.

Keywords: Fetal cerebral veins; Magnetic resonance imaging; Prenatal diagnosis; Quantitative susceptibility mapping; Susceptibility weighted imaging.