Magnetic resonance imaging of the fetal brain in monochorionic diamniotic twin gestation: correlation of cerebral injury with ultrasound staging and survival outcomes

Background The current staging system of twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is based on the ultrasound criteria and does not consider the cerebral injury. Objective To assess the incidence of cerebral damage on fetal MRI and correlate abnormal cerebral diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings with survival outcome and the ultrasound staging of TTTS. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective review of MRI/DWI of fetal brains and the electronic medical records in monochorionic diamniotic twin gestations. Axial DWI of each fetal brain was performed on 1.5-tesla (T) clinical magnet with b values of 0 s/mm 2 and 700 s/mm 2 . We correlated MRI/DWI abnormalities with the Quintero staging system and survival outcomes of the fetuses. Results Thirty-four pregnancies (68 fetuses) with 42 fetal cerebral abnormalities were identified by MRI/DWI alone. Of these 42 fetal cerebral abnormalities, 33 fetal brain lesions were visible only on DWI ( n =25 donor, n =8 recipients; n =30 unilateral, n =3 bilateral; n =26 diffuse, n =7 focal). Quintero staging in these 34 pregnancies was as follows: 9 Stage I, 7 Stage II, 13 Stage III, 4 Stage IV, 1 Stage V. There was no significant correlation between the presence of cerebral infarction or hemorrhage using MRI/DWI and ultrasound staging ( P =0.138). The overall survival rate was 63.2% (43/68). There was a significant correlation between the presence of cerebral infarction or hemorrhage on MRI/DWI and delivery status ( P =0.009). Conclusion Abnormal cerebral imaging findings on MRI/DWI from hypoxic–ischemic injury or hemorrhage can be seen at the beginning of the second trimester and do not correlate with the current ultrasound staging system; however, they do correlate with decreased survival. Fetal cerebral abnormalities could be incorporated into the TTTS staging system as an independent risk factor.