Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Subependymal grey matter heterotopias are seen in a high proportion of children with Chiari II malformation and are potentially clinically relevant. However, despite its growing use, there is little in the literature describing its detection on fetal MRI. Our aim was to evaluate the accuracy in diagnosing subependymal gray matter heterotopias in fetuses with spinal dysraphism on fetal MR imaging.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of 203 fetal MRIs performed at a single institution for spinal dysraphism during a 10-year period. Corresponding obstetric sonography, postnatal imaging, and clinical/operative reports were reviewed.
RESULTS: Of the fetal MRIs reviewed, 95 fetuses were included in our analysis; 23.2% (22/95) were suspected of having subependymal gray matter heterotopias on fetal MR imaging prospectively. However, only 50% (11/22) of these cases were confirmed on postnatal brain MR imaging. On postnatal brain MR imaging, 28.4% (27/95) demonstrated imaging findings consistent with subependymal gray matter heterotopia. Only 40.7% (11/27) of these cases were prospectively diagnosed on fetal MR imaging.
CONCLUSIONS: Fetal MR imaging is limited in its ability to identify subependymal gray matter heterotopias in fetuses with spinal dysraphism. It is believed that this limitation relates to a combination of factors, including artifacts from fetal motion, the very small size of fetal neuroanatomy, differences in imaging techniques, and, possibly, irregularity related to denudation of the ependyma/subependyma in the presence of spinal dysraphism and/or stretching of the germinal matrix in ventriculomegaly.
ABBREVIATIONS:
- GA
- gestational age
- SEH
- subependymal gray matter heterotopias
- VMG
- ventriculomegaly
Fetal MR imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of fetuses with suspected central nervous system abnormalities; the indications for, availability of, and the use of fetal MRI are increasing.1⇓–3 The role of fetal MR imaging is important in the evaluation of spinal dysraphisms and is vital in the assessment for prenatal repair of myelomeningoceles. Because the Management of Myelomeningocele randomized controlled trial has shown that prenatal surgery for myelomeningoceles reduces the need for shunting and may improve neurologic function in some patients, MR imaging has become imperative in evaluating these fetuses before intervention.4⇓–6
Subependymal gray matter heterotopias (SEH) are seen in a relatively high proportion of children with Chiari II malformation, with a reported incidence as high as 30%.7 Although the exact implications in this subset of patients are still under investigation, ample reports in the literature describe the clinical relevance of SEH.8⇓⇓⇓–12 Up to 80% of patients with SEH have been reported to develop epilepsy during their lifetimes, and disorders of cognition are seen in anywhere from 20% to 60%.9 The presence of SEH also demonstrates a strong association with other structural anomalies in the brain in addition to Chiari malformation, including cerebral cortical malformations, callosal anomalies, and decreased white matter volume.10⇓–12 However, very little radiology literature has reported on the detection of SEH on fetal MR imaging, with only case reports and a few small case series described.13⇓–15 Many authors believe that SEH can be identified on fetal MR imaging.3,16,17 In 1 small series of 15 patients, fetal MR imaging was reported to be up to 100% specific, though only 67% sensitive, in detecting SEH.17 To date, no large series have examined this finding on MR imaging in fetuses with spinal dysraphism.
The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of diagnosing SEH in fetuses with spinal dysraphism via fetal MR imaging.
Materials and Methods
Study Design
This study was a single-center, retrospective chart review. Illuminate InSight software (Softek Solutions, Prairie Village, Kansas), a program utilized for data aggregation and search engine functions, was used to compile a list of fetuses with open and closed spinal dysraphisms imaged via fetal MR imaging at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, between 2004 and 2014. Additional cases of spinal dysraphism were also obtained from a radiology fetal case list. Only patients with available postnatal brain MRIs were included in this analysis. Patients with omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects complex or complicating limb, body wall, or calvarial defects (anencephaly, encephaloceles) were excluded. The images were viewed in the PACS. A chart review was performed to obtain relevant clinical data. This study was Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant and was approved by the institutional review board. The requirement for informed consent was waived.
Imaging Parameters
All 95 fetuses included in our analysis were scanned prenatally on a 1.5T magnet within the group of hospitals that are a part of the Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati, with 97.9% (93/95) of fetal MRIs performed at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center on either a GE Signa (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) or a Phillips Ingenia (Best, the Netherlands) system. Only diagnostic-quality MRIs for the assessment of the fetal brain were included in our study, and this was a subjective assessment made by the radiologists. T2 single-shot fast spin-echo images of the brain were the most useful in identifying SEH and were obtained in 3 planes: axial, sagittal, and coronal. Section thicknesses of 3-mm, no gap, interleaved images at ≤24 weeks' gestational age (GA) and 4-mm, no gap, interleaved images at >24 weeks GA were used. Although this imaging protocol did not change during the study period, the TR and TE varied among scanners and were changed at times of scanner upgrades to optimize image quality. At least 2 stacks in each plane were obtained to the radiologist's satisfaction. The smallest FOV possible was used. T1WI of the fetal brain and body were obtained; however, they were not useful in identifying additional SEH. Axial DWI of the fetal brain was inconsistently implemented at the radiologist's discretion and was not helpful in identifying additional SEH in any of the cases. Images were reviewed for the presence or absence of ≥1 subependymal gray matter heterotropia identified in at least 2 planes.
All 95 patients included in our analysis had diagnostic-quality postnatal brain MRIs available for interpretation, as determined by the radiologists. The postnatal imaging parameters varied because 1 of 6 clinical magnets was used and the routine use of T1 3D spoiled gradient-recalled imaging was not implemented until 2009. We found that SEH were best identified on axial T2 FSE sequences postnatally, though sagittal T1WI was helpful as well in certain cases.
Image Interpretation
All images were reviewed by 2 board-certified radiologists (U.D.N., B.M.K.-F.), both with added qualifications in pediatric radiology and fellowship training in pediatric neuroradiology, 1 (B.M.K.-F) with >10 years of postfellowship attending experience in pediatric neuroradiology in a large academic center. The readers were blinded to the pre- and postnatal imaging findings at the time of interpretation. Differences were resolved by consensus.
Statistical Analysis
Statistical analysis was performed by using Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington) 2013 spreadsheet mathematic functions, including average values, SDs, value count, and Student t test.
Results
Description of Our Cohort
Of the 203 MRIs of fetuses with spinal dysraphism reviewed, 161 fetuses were identified as having spinal dysraphism without evidence of omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects complex or complicating limb, body wall, or calvarial defects. In this cohort, 95 fetuses had postnatal brain MRIs available for interpretation and were included in our analysis (Fig 1); 37.9% (36/95) of these fetuses were male. The average gestational age at MR imaging was 24.23 ± 3.9 weeks; 22.1% (21/95) of these patients underwent open fetal surgery for in utero repair of a myelomeningocele. The average age at postnatal brain MR imaging was 58.8 ± 159.7 days.
Breakdown of the fetuses included in our study. OEIS indicates omphalocele-exstrophy-imperforate anus-spinal defects.
In total, 91.6% (87/95) had open spinal dysraphism, while the remaining were closed; 91.6% (87/95) had evidence of Chiari II malformation in the posterior cranial fossa; and of those with a normal posterior fossa, 50% (4/8) had closed spinal dysraphisms. Of the open spinal dysraphisms, 74.7% (65/87) had myelomeningoceles, while the remaining 25.3% (22/87) had myeloceles, defined as a neural placode flush with the skin surface.18 Eighty percent (76/95) of patients had significant ventriculomegaly (VMG) on fetal MR imaging, defined as the atria of the lateral ventricles measuring ≥10 mm in transverse diameter. This measurement was obtained in the axial plane at the level of the frontal horns or in the coronal plane at the level of the glomoid of the choroid plexus, analogous to previously established fetal sonography guidelines.19
Imaging Findings
In total, 23.2% (22/95) of the fetuses studied were suspected of having SEH on fetal MR imaging. The average GA of this group of patients at imaging was 25.47 ± 4.9 weeks. Of these fetuses, 50% (11/22) were confirmed as having at least 1 subependymal gray matter heterotopia on postnatal brain MR imaging (Fig 2). All 22 of these cases had VMG on fetal MR imaging. The average GA of the postnatally confirmed patients was 24.7 ± 4.7 weeks, while the average GA of the 11 patients that did not demonstrate SEH postnatally was 26.2 ± 5.3 weeks, a difference that was not statistically significant (P = .49).
Example of SEH prospectively diagnosed on fetal MR imaging (true-positive finding). Axial T2 single-shot fast spin-echo imaging of the fetal brain at 25 weeks' GA (A) demonstrates multiple nodules along the ependymal surfaces of the lateral ventricles suspicious for SEH. Postnatal brain MR imaging at 5 weeks of age (B) confirms the presence of bilateral SEH on axial T2 FSE.
The fetal MRIs of the examinations with false-positive findings were re-examined. Of the 11 fetuses in which SEH were initially noted on fetal MR imaging but not confirmed on postnatal brain MR imaging (false-positives), all 11 demonstrated identifiable areas of nodularity along the ependymal surfaces of the lateral ventricles on fetal MR imaging (Fig 3). The MRIs of the 11 fetuses with true-positive findings were also re-examined, and it was confirmed that SEH identified on the postnatal examination corresponded to ependymal nodularity in the same locations on fetal MR imaging in all 11 patients. However, 18.2% (2/11) of the fetuses with true-positive findings had additional areas of nodularity identified on fetal MR imaging that did not correspond to SEH on the postnatal examination.
An example of subependymal nodularity giving the false appearance of SEH (false-positive finding). Axial T2 single-shot fast spin-echo image from fetal MR imaging at 24 weeks' GA (A) demonstrates nodularity along the ependymal surfaces of the lateral ventricles, giving the appearance of SEH. However, postnatal MR imaging at 8 weeks of age (B) does not demonstrate any SEH.
On postnatal brain MR imaging, 28.4% (27/95) of patients demonstrated imaging findings consistent with SEH; 40.7% (11/27) of these patients were prospectively diagnosed on fetal MR imaging (true-positives). Of these, 70.4% (19/27) of neonates had ≥3 heterotopias identified postnatally, with 52.6% (10/19) being identified prospectively on fetal MR imaging. On the other hand, 29.6% (8/27) had 1–2 heterotopias identified on postnatal examination, with only 12.5% (1/8) identified prospectively on fetal MR imaging. Of the 16/27 fetuses having SEH confirmed postnatally but not identified prenatally (false-negative findings), 81.3% (13/16) had VMG on fetal MR imaging. On the other hand, 100% (11/11) of the fetuses with true-positive findings and 100% (11/11) of those with false-positive findings had VMG on fetal MR imaging. However, the actual mean transverse atrial diameter on fetal MR imaging of those with true-positive findings (16.6 ± 4.5 mm) was not significantly different from those with false-positive findings (15.6 ± 6.8 mm, P = .69) or false-negative findings (16.8 ± 7.6 mm, P = .94).
Average GA of the patients with SEH prospectively diagnosed (true-positive findings) was 24.7 ± 4.7 weeks, while the average GA of the fetuses with SEH not identified prenatally (false-negative findings) was 23.7 ± 3.1 weeks. The difference in GA was not found to be statistically significant (P = .54). To exclude the presence or absence of VMG as a confounding variable, we compared the GAs between only those with true-positive (n = 11, 24.7 ± 4.7 weeks) and false-negative (n = 13, 24.1 ± 3.3 weeks) findings with VMG and found no statistically significant difference (P = .72).
The fetal MRIs with SEH not identified on prenatal imaging but found on postnatal imaging (false-negatives), were also re-examined to determine whether they could be identified in retrospect. Of the 16 fetuses with false-negative findings, we were unable to identify the SEH on fetal MR imaging in 68.8% (11/16), even in retrospect. While 90.9% (10/11) of these cases were believed to have SEH too small to detect on fetal MR imaging, it was thought that fetal motion contributed to the lack of prenatal detection in 9.1% (1/11) of these patients. In the remaining 5 patients, in retrospect, mild nodularity was noted, which may have corresponded to the postnatal findings. However, in 2/5 of these patients, other areas of subependymal nodularity that did not correspond to SEH on postnatal imaging were identified (Fig 4). In addition, in 2/5 patients, the SEH were small on postnatal imaging, measuring as small as 1 mm and as large as 3 mm and were likely missed on fetal MR imaging because of their diminutive size. It is believed that in the remaining 1/5 patients with SEH identified postnatally, the lesion could not be detected prenatally because the location of the heterotopia identified in the right frontal horn was obscured prenatally due to motion artifact in this area.
Example of a false-negative finding in a patient with SEH. Postnatal brain MR imaging at 15 days of age (A) demonstrates 2 small SEH along the right lateral ventricle (arrow) on axial T2 FSE imaging. In retrospect, there is some subtle asymmetric irregularity of the subependyma (arrow) on fetal MR imaging at 24 weeks' GA (B) on axial T2 single-shot fast spin-echo imaging. However, other areas of nodularity on fetal MR imaging in this patient (C, arrows) do not correspond to SEH postnatally (D).
Discussion
We examined the accuracy of MR imaging in diagnosing SEH in fetuses with spinal dysraphism by looking at the data from our institution. We demonstrated that in our experience, fetal MR imaging is 40% sensitive and 50% specific in the diagnosis of SEH. We demonstrated a higher rate of VMG in cases with true-positive and false-positive findings than in those with false-negative findings. We also demonstrated a higher rate of false-negative findings when <3 heterotopias were identified postnatally. GA at the time of imaging did not appear to have a relationship with the sensitivity or specificity of diagnosing SEH.
A number of articles in the literature describe the appearance of SEH on fetal MR imaging.3,14,15,20,21 However, very few describe the diagnostic accuracy.17,22 The largest published series of 15 patients reported that fetal MR imaging was up to 73% sensitive and 100% specific for diagnosing SEH.17 Our study examined a much larger cohort of patients, increasing the validity of our findings. However, we focused on a specific population of patients, looking only at fetuses with prenatally diagnosed spinal dysraphisms; this type of search decreased the generalizability of our findings.
The relatively low sensitivity for detecting SEH on fetal MR imaging can be explained by multiple factors. First, although faster imaging techniques have largely eliminated the need for sedation during imaging, fetal MR images are still frequently compromised by fetal motion.23 Second, differences in imaging techniques between pre- and postnatal imaging also contributed to low sensitivity. T2 single-shot fast spin-echo images are considered the workhorse of fetal MR imaging; however, the relative increased speed of imaging comes at the cost of decreased spatial resolution compared with the standard T2 FSE images used to image the brain postnatally.23⇓–25 Although not yet well-studied, fetal MR imaging at 3T may improve spatial resolution through faster scanning times and a higher signal-to-noise ratio in future investigations.26 Third, the very small size of fetal neuroanatomy also contributes to the decreased sensitivity of detecting SEH on fetal MR imaging. Of note, GA at imaging did not appear to play a significant role in the accuracy of diagnosing SEH in our study. However, given that a large portion of the patients in our study were evaluated specifically for prenatal repair of a myelomeningocele, which is typically performed before 26 weeks' GA, this observation may not be generalizable.4
We also demonstrated a relatively low specificity in the diagnosis of SEH on fetal MR imaging, which is a little more difficult to explain. In our study, we looked at only patients with spinal dysraphisms, who have a much higher incidence of SEH than the general population and have other associated pathologies unique to the disease entity.7,27 The presence of ependymal nodularity on fetal MR imaging that does not correspond with SEH postnatally may potentially be explained by several factors. First, histologic studies in fetuses with open spinal dysraphisms have demonstrated neuroepithelial/ependymal denudation before the onset of hydrocephalus.28 Thus, it is possible that the ependymal nodularity we see on fetal MR imaging is a reflection of this ependymal denudation demonstrated on histologic studies. We also suspect that hydrocephalus plays a role. The pathology literature in infants describes ventricular dilation correlating with discontinuities in the ependymal lining along with ependymal cell loss.29 Histologic analysis of fetuses with hydrocephalus demonstrates loss of the germinal ependymal zone, disorganization of the subventricular zone, and abnormal migration of neuroblasts into the ventricular cavity.30 Since there has been a potential link described between hydrocephalus and SEH because denudation of the neuroepithelium may cause disruption of the neuronal migrational pathways, it is possible that the nodules we see prenatally represent delayed migration of neurons that migrate later in pregnancy.31 On the other hand, in the presence of hydrocephalus, it is conceivable that migrational anomalies may develop later in gestation and then be apparent in the postnatal period.
The configuration of the germinal matrix on fetal MR imaging in healthy fetuses has been well-described and can potentially be used as one of the many markers in evaluating fetal brain maturation.32 It is also possible that hydrocephalus in patients with spinal dysraphisms disrupts the normal development and configuration of the germinal matrix, causing the nodularity we see on fetal imaging. Of note, we did not appreciate any ependymal nodularity outside the SEH postnatally, which can be primarily explained by the relative absence of a germinal matrix. On the basis of our observations, we do not believe it is possible to differentiate SEH from ependymal irregularity related to other etiologies in fetuses with spinal dysraphism on MR imaging.
Our study adds to the current literature in many ways. First, it is one of the largest of its kind looking at this specific finding on fetal MR imaging, with direct comparison with the postnatal imaging findings. Second, given the increasing availability of prenatal repair of myelomeningoceles, studies examining the accuracy of MR imaging in the evaluation of the fetal brain are becoming essential.4⇓–6 While there have been other studies that examined the sensitivity of fetal MR imaging in the diagnosis of SEH, this study is unique in that it reports the limited specificity and is the first to describe the appearance of ependymal nodularity on MR imaging in fetuses with spinal dysraphisms that does not correlate with SEH (or any other nodular periventricular/subependymal pathology) postnatally.17,22 On fetal MR imaging, the differential diagnosis for SEH includes tuberous sclerosis and subependymal hemorrhage.16 Our findings suggest that abnormal nodularity of the germinal matrix is another important differential consideration.
Our study has some limitations. First, this is a retrospective study limiting its internal validity. In addition, given that this is a single-institution study performed within a certain timeframe, the external validity may be limited as well. To acquire this number of patients for our study, we examined studies from a 10-year time span at our institution. These patients were scanned on different magnets and, because our scanners were upgraded multiple times over the years, minor differences in scanning parameters were used to optimize image quality, which may also affect our results.
Conclusions
Fetal MR imaging is limited in its ability to identify SEH in fetuses with spinal dysraphism. We believe that this limitation relates to a combination of factors: the sensitivity possibly compromised by artifacts from fetal motion, the very small size of fetal neuroanatomy, and the resolution of the fetal MR imaging technique. The specificity may be compromised by denudation of the ependyma and possibility irregularity of the germinal matrix by stretching of the developing ependyma/subependyma in the presence of VMG.
Footnotes
Preliminary results were previously presented at: American Society of Neuroradiology Annual Meeting and the Foundation of the ASNR Symposium; April 25–30, 2015; Chicago, Illinois; No. O-176.
REFERENCES
- Received July 15, 2015.
- Accepted after revision September 8, 2015.
- © 2016 by American Journal of Neuroradiology
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