Work

MRI evaluation of ADC values and venous variations in fetal cerebral white matter with T2WI signal hyperintensity in late gestation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background and purpose: We observed that some late-term fetal prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed normal brain structures but exhibited diffuse hyperintense signals on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) in the cerebral white matter (white matter hyperintense signal [WMHS]). Currently, the pathological basis of this phenomenon remains unclear, and few studies have systematically investigated its impact on fetal and postnatal brain development. We aimed to compare the differences in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values across distinct brain regions between fetuses with WMHS and age-matched control fetuses, to explore the potential etiology of WMHS by combining these findings with morphological changes in cerebral veins, and to conduct a comprehensive evaluation combined with clinical follow-up. Method: We retrospectively analyzed fetal imaging data from MRI examinations performed at our hospital between January 2014 and May 2024. A total of 87 late-term fetuses (gestational age [GA]: 29-40 weeks) were identified with diffuse hyperintense signals on T2WI in the cerebral parenchyma; age-matched normal fetuses with the same sample size were enrolled as the control group. We compared differences in ADC values across distinct brain regions among fetuses with WMHS and simultaneously analyzed morphological differences in the deep cerebral veins between the two groups, combined with postnatal clinical follow-up, to explore the impact of WMHS on brain development and its clinical significance in late-term fetuses. Results: -value of < 0.05 considered statistically significant. (3) Successful follow-up was achieved in 45 control infants and 36 WMHS cases. All control fetuses showed normal neurodevelopmental outcomes, while 33 infants in the WMHS group had normal and 3 had adverse outcomes, including cerebral palsy, developmental delay, and autism. Conclusion: In late-term fetuses with WMHS, elevated ADC values in specific brain regions and concurrent deep cerebral venous dilation indicate underlying intracranial abnormalities. In addition, our follow-up results indicate that these combined changes may be associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in some infants.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2026.1776880

Authors: Yimin Cao, Jie Li, Juan Wang, Yi Xing, Haiqing Yang, Lixia Zhou

Institutions: Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Kunming University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Fetal and Pediatric Neurological Disorders

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801