Over the past 5-10 years, there has been rapid development in the use of MRI techniques to image the fetal brain, heart, cardiovascular system, and placenta during pregnancy. However, these advancements have primarily been driven by individual centers around the world, resulting in significant variations in infrastructure requirements, acquisition protocols, and post-processing methods. As international interest in this evolving field continues to grow, it is crucial to advance technical understanding, improve dissemination, and discuss the appropriate use of these new imaging methods.
The objective of this research topic is to establish a shared vision for the future of fetal MRI, specifically focusing on imaging the fetal brain, heart, and placenta. Additionally, it aims to explore the necessary steps for the integration of these imaging techniques into clinical practice. Key areas of emphasis include compensation for fetal bulk motion and heart motion, the development of novel 3D reconstruction methods for anatomical imaging of the fetal brain, heart, and placenta, and the exploration of innovative methods such as fetal 4D flow, T2 mapping for estimating oxygen delivery, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the fetal brain and placenta. From a clinical perspective, this research topic will address issues regarding prenatal brain growth and development in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction or congenital heart diseases. It will also cover broader topics related to the practical implementation of these methods and their potential benefits in clinical practice.
Several gaps in the field have been identified and will be addressed within this research topic:
1- Fetal MRI currently faces a major challenge in dealing with fetal bulk motion. Currently, multiple 2D images are acquired in three orthogonal stacks to minimize the impact of fetal bulk motion. Offline reconstruction of a high-resolution 3D image is then performed using super-resolution algorithms. However, the field lacks a fast, real-time 3D dataset reconstruction method that can be applied during the scanning process.
2- The clinical utility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for imaging the fetal brain and placenta is limited due to fetal bulk motion. Presently, there is no effective super-resolution technique available for producing high-resolution 3D DTI images. The development of such a technique would be valuable in creating a normative atlas for fetal brain and placenta function and fiber orientation across different gestational ages.
3- Fetal cardiac MRI poses challenges due to both fetal heart motion and bulk motion. Real-time acquisition techniques are needed to freeze fetal motion, or alternatively, novel algorithms must be developed to detect the fetal heart rate and enable gating for fetal heart motion.
4- There is currently a lack of established normative ranges for fetal heart size and function across different gestational ages. This poses difficulties in accurately assessing and diagnosing fetal cardiac conditions.
Articles within this research topic can cover a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to:
• Development of novel motion correction techniques for fetal MRI.
• Advancement of fast image acquisition and 3D image reconstruction methods for fetal MRI.
• Exploration of novel pulse-sequence designs, real-time acquisitions, and data analysis strategies for fetal MRI.
• Progress in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the fetal brain and placenta, including innovations in acquisition and processing, tractography, connectivity, and microstructure analysis.
• Description of the future direction of fetal MRI for brain, heart, and placenta imaging.
• Investigation into the anatomical and physiological properties of the fetal brain, heart, and placenta, and understanding their changes and interactions throughout gestation.
• Comparison of heart and brain structures and function between normal fetuses and those with intrauterine growth restriction or congenital heart disease.
• Comprehensive review of current techniques for non-invasively monitoring fetal brain, heart, and placenta physiology and function.
• Identification of MRI-based biomarkers associated with fetal brain, heart, and placenta morphology and function.
• Explanation of the safety considerations involved in performing fetal MRI scans.
Over the past 5-10 years, there has been rapid development in the use of MRI techniques to image the fetal brain, heart, cardiovascular system, and placenta during pregnancy. However, these advancements have primarily been driven by individual centers around the world, resulting in significant variations in infrastructure requirements, acquisition protocols, and post-processing methods. As international interest in this evolving field continues to grow, it is crucial to advance technical understanding, improve dissemination, and discuss the appropriate use of these new imaging methods.
The objective of this research topic is to establish a shared vision for the future of fetal MRI, specifically focusing on imaging the fetal brain, heart, and placenta. Additionally, it aims to explore the necessary steps for the integration of these imaging techniques into clinical practice. Key areas of emphasis include compensation for fetal bulk motion and heart motion, the development of novel 3D reconstruction methods for anatomical imaging of the fetal brain, heart, and placenta, and the exploration of innovative methods such as fetal 4D flow, T2 mapping for estimating oxygen delivery, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the fetal brain and placenta. From a clinical perspective, this research topic will address issues regarding prenatal brain growth and development in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction or congenital heart diseases. It will also cover broader topics related to the practical implementation of these methods and their potential benefits in clinical practice.
Several gaps in the field have been identified and will be addressed within this research topic:
1- Fetal MRI currently faces a major challenge in dealing with fetal bulk motion. Currently, multiple 2D images are acquired in three orthogonal stacks to minimize the impact of fetal bulk motion. Offline reconstruction of a high-resolution 3D image is then performed using super-resolution algorithms. However, the field lacks a fast, real-time 3D dataset reconstruction method that can be applied during the scanning process.
2- The clinical utility of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) for imaging the fetal brain and placenta is limited due to fetal bulk motion. Presently, there is no effective super-resolution technique available for producing high-resolution 3D DTI images. The development of such a technique would be valuable in creating a normative atlas for fetal brain and placenta function and fiber orientation across different gestational ages.
3- Fetal cardiac MRI poses challenges due to both fetal heart motion and bulk motion. Real-time acquisition techniques are needed to freeze fetal motion, or alternatively, novel algorithms must be developed to detect the fetal heart rate and enable gating for fetal heart motion.
4- There is currently a lack of established normative ranges for fetal heart size and function across different gestational ages. This poses difficulties in accurately assessing and diagnosing fetal cardiac conditions.
Articles within this research topic can cover a wide range of subjects, including but not limited to:
• Development of novel motion correction techniques for fetal MRI.
• Advancement of fast image acquisition and 3D image reconstruction methods for fetal MRI.
• Exploration of novel pulse-sequence designs, real-time acquisitions, and data analysis strategies for fetal MRI.
• Progress in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the fetal brain and placenta, including innovations in acquisition and processing, tractography, connectivity, and microstructure analysis.
• Description of the future direction of fetal MRI for brain, heart, and placenta imaging.
• Investigation into the anatomical and physiological properties of the fetal brain, heart, and placenta, and understanding their changes and interactions throughout gestation.
• Comparison of heart and brain structures and function between normal fetuses and those with intrauterine growth restriction or congenital heart disease.
• Comprehensive review of current techniques for non-invasively monitoring fetal brain, heart, and placenta physiology and function.
• Identification of MRI-based biomarkers associated with fetal brain, heart, and placenta morphology and function.
• Explanation of the safety considerations involved in performing fetal MRI scans.