Abstract :Objective: To compare 3D tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) versus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for prenatal diagnosis of congenital arachnoid cyst.
Methods: In a comparative observational cross-sectional study, at university teaching hospitals, 30 pregnant women with suspected fetal arachnoid cyst by 2D ultrasound were subjected to 3D TUI and prenatal MRI for detailed assessment of the intracranial cyst and associated anomalies. Prenatal 3D TUI and MRI findings were compared with postnatal MRI findings.
Results: From 30 suspected arachnoid cysts, 21 (70.0%) were diagnosed at 3D TUI, 22 (73.3%) at prenatal MRI, and 23 (76.7%) were confirmed at postnatal MRI. For associated anomalies, 6 (20.0%) were observed at 3D TUI, 8 (26.7%) at prenatal MRI, and 9 (30.0%) were confirmed at postnatal MRI. The overall accuracy of 3D TUI was comparable to prenatal MRI for diagnosis of arachnoid cysts (P=1.000) and associated anomalies (P=0.612).
Conclusion: Three-dimensional TUI is reliable, relatively inexpensive, not time-consuming, and causes minimal discomfort to the patient. Thus, 3D TUI can be used for prenatal diagnosis of congenital arachnoid cyst before resorting to MRI.