Role of nonorthogonal planes in early detection of midline fetal brain sulci

Objective: to assess role of oblique planes in assessment of early fetal brain sulciMM:Over 3 years from September 2013 to 2016 658 MRI s were performed in our tertiary care center, with 321 fetuses with gestational age less than 20 weeks. In 77 we could establish normal developmental outcome by phone call ASQ. All images and not only standard orthogonal views were retrospectively evaluated by two radiologists for early midline sulci. Inconsistencies were reevaluated in a joint session and consensus was reached. Dates of appearance of the sulci was compared with available standards.Results: The calcarine and parieto occipital fissures can be detected earlier in oblique nonstandard images by two weeks comparing to Levine and Garell studies. We did not observe such early detection for cingular sulcus which seems to be detected with a week of delay comparing to ultrasound studies (Timor-Tritsch, Toi, Pistorius). Earliest detection date still lags some 2weeks comparing with pathology studies.Conclusion: The early midline sulci might be visible earlier than suggested by previous studies Conclusion: The early midline sulci might be visible earlier than suggested by previous studies in MRI if nonorthogonal nonstandard images are also included in the evaluation