Congenital Intracranial Tumors: Prenatal Diagnosis by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging

ABSTRACT Fetal intracranial tumors are rare, accounting for approximately 0.5%–1.9% of all pediatric tumors, though the true incidence may be underestimated. These tumors often present with distinct histopathological features, imaging characteristics, and clinical behavior compared to their postnata...

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Main Authors: Jing‐Ya Ren, Hui Ji, Ming Zhu, Su‐Zhen Dong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:iRADIOLOGY
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ird3.70018
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author Jing‐Ya Ren
Hui Ji
Ming Zhu
Su‐Zhen Dong
author_facet Jing‐Ya Ren
Hui Ji
Ming Zhu
Su‐Zhen Dong
author_sort Jing‐Ya Ren
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Fetal intracranial tumors are rare, accounting for approximately 0.5%–1.9% of all pediatric tumors, though the true incidence may be underestimated. These tumors often present with distinct histopathological features, imaging characteristics, and clinical behavior compared to their postnatal counterparts. This review summarizes the current understanding of the prenatal diagnosis and characterization of fetal brain tumors, with a particular focus on the role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We discuss the advantages of advanced MR sequences in enhancing lesion detection and anatomical delineation following suspicious findings on obstetric ultrasound. Common tumor types encountered in utero—including teratomas, astrocytomas, medulloblastomas, choroid plexus papillomas, and craniopharyngiomas—are reviewed in terms of imaging features, differential diagnosis, and clinical implications. Furthermore, the review addresses the diagnostic challenges, prognostic considerations, and the potential role of fetal MRI in guiding perinatal management and parental counseling.
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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spelling doaj-art-e4d8aeaef9e7466da58fdded3df7debd2025-08-20T03:29:27ZengWileyiRADIOLOGY2834-28602834-28792025-06-013320320810.1002/ird3.70018Congenital Intracranial Tumors: Prenatal Diagnosis by Fetal Magnetic Resonance ImagingJing‐Ya Ren0Hui Ji1Ming Zhu2Su‐Zhen Dong3Department of Radiology Shanghai Children's Medical Center School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai ChinaCenter for MR Research University Children's Hospital Zurich University of Zurich Zurich SwitzerlandDepartment of Radiology Shanghai Children's Medical Center School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai ChinaDepartment of Radiology Shanghai Children's Medical Center School of Medicine Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai ChinaABSTRACT Fetal intracranial tumors are rare, accounting for approximately 0.5%–1.9% of all pediatric tumors, though the true incidence may be underestimated. These tumors often present with distinct histopathological features, imaging characteristics, and clinical behavior compared to their postnatal counterparts. This review summarizes the current understanding of the prenatal diagnosis and characterization of fetal brain tumors, with a particular focus on the role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We discuss the advantages of advanced MR sequences in enhancing lesion detection and anatomical delineation following suspicious findings on obstetric ultrasound. Common tumor types encountered in utero—including teratomas, astrocytomas, medulloblastomas, choroid plexus papillomas, and craniopharyngiomas—are reviewed in terms of imaging features, differential diagnosis, and clinical implications. Furthermore, the review addresses the diagnostic challenges, prognostic considerations, and the potential role of fetal MRI in guiding perinatal management and parental counseling.https://doi.org/10.1002/ird3.70018braincongenitalfetusmagnetic resonance imagingtumor
spellingShingle Jing‐Ya Ren
Hui Ji
Ming Zhu
Su‐Zhen Dong
Congenital Intracranial Tumors: Prenatal Diagnosis by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
iRADIOLOGY
brain
congenital
fetus
magnetic resonance imaging
tumor
title Congenital Intracranial Tumors: Prenatal Diagnosis by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
title_full Congenital Intracranial Tumors: Prenatal Diagnosis by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
title_fullStr Congenital Intracranial Tumors: Prenatal Diagnosis by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
title_full_unstemmed Congenital Intracranial Tumors: Prenatal Diagnosis by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
title_short Congenital Intracranial Tumors: Prenatal Diagnosis by Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
title_sort congenital intracranial tumors prenatal diagnosis by fetal magnetic resonance imaging
topic brain
congenital
fetus
magnetic resonance imaging
tumor
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ird3.70018
work_keys_str_mv AT jingyaren congenitalintracranialtumorsprenataldiagnosisbyfetalmagneticresonanceimaging
AT huiji congenitalintracranialtumorsprenataldiagnosisbyfetalmagneticresonanceimaging
AT mingzhu congenitalintracranialtumorsprenataldiagnosisbyfetalmagneticresonanceimaging
AT suzhendong congenitalintracranialtumorsprenataldiagnosisbyfetalmagneticresonanceimaging