Foetal MRI: Luxury or Necessity?
Dr. Daniela Prayer from the University Hospital of Innsbruck in Austria introduced foetal MRI, a highly evolved and essential part of the radiological armament. She described how ultrafast imaging sequences capture illnesses and diseases affecting foetuses that can potentially be treated prenatally in a non-invasive and low risk way. Our ability to view vessels, bones and render 3D scans amongst others, makes prenatal surgery in certain cases an option.
The use of foetal imaging has elucidated much of what was unknown before about foetal abnormalities. The ability to predict healthcare needs is leading to more intelligent post-natal care, and even life-saving prenatal therapies in certain cases. Dr. Prayer made a clear case: the advantages of foetal MRI versus postnatal MRI are that it requires no sedation and no surveillance
