Foetal intestinal atresia: Diagnosis with MRI

Abstract

Ultrasonographic (US) differential diagnosis of enlarged loops in the foetal abdomen may be inconclusive in some cases. We report a case of foetal intestinal atresia that was diagnosed with MRI. In a 32 weeks old fetus, US revealed enlarged loops filling the entire foetal abdomen which did not allow further evaluation. On MRI, the anteriorly located distended loops were hyperintense on HASTE images and hypointense on 2D FLASH images suggesting small bowel atresia. Fetus died in utero and pathology confirmed the diagnosis. MR can be used as complementary diagnostic tool in cases of enlarged loops in foetal abdomen.