• Shu-Ping Pei, Hai-Lian Guan, and Feng Jin.
• Department of Obstetrics, Tongde hospital of Zhejiang province, Hangzhou, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Dec 15; 102 (50): e36623e36623.

IntroductionIntrauterine microcephaly is a complex and lifelong condition that poses significant ethical challenges for clinicians and parents. The prognosis of microcephaly is highly variable and depends on the underlying cause and severity. In addition, microcephaly is often associated with various comorbidities, including intellectual disability, developmental delay, and epilepsy. Ultrasonography (US) is currently the most commonly used imaging modality for detecting microcephaly in the second trimester of pregnancy. However, antenatal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being used as a more sensitive tool to identify structural abnormalities that may suggest a specific diagnosis. In this study, we report a case series of microcephaly diagnosed through the combination of MRI and US.Patient ConcernsHow to utilize a combination of MRI and US to screen for fetal microcephaly.DiagnosisBased on the results of US and MRI examinations, patient 1 was found to have other craniocerebral malformations, patient 2 demonstrated macrogyria, and patient 3 exhibited skull irregularities.InterventionsThe pregnancies of all 3 patients were terminated through the induction of labor by injecting Rivanol into the amniotic cavity.OutcomesThe 3 patients were discharged after a period of observation.ConclusionUS is an important tool for diagnosing fetal microcephaly. However, MRI can overcome the limitations of US and detect additional brain structural abnormalities, thereby providing more specific and valuable prenatal diagnostic information. Therefore, combining MRI and US has significant diagnostic value for fetal microcephaly.Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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