Prenatal lung volumes and postnatal lung perfusion in congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) significantly impacts long-term pulmonary function. This study aimed to compare fetal MRI-derived lung volumes with nuclear medicine perfusion scintigraphy (NMPS) data to identify correlations and improve prognostication and management for children with CDH.

STUDY

DESIGN

This retrospective single-center pilot cohort study included infants born between 2019 and 2022 with prenatally diagnosed left-sided CDH who underwent both fetal MRI and postnatal NMPS. Lung volumes were converted to a percentage of total lung volume for comparison with lung perfusion percentages. Relationships between fetal MRI and NMPS ratios were assessed using paired t-tests and Pearson correlation.

RESULTS

Thirteen children met the inclusion criteria. The prenatal and postnatal ratios of left, right, and left/right lung were significantly different between fetal MRI and NMPS (p < 0.001). A not statistically significant trend toward positive correlation was observed.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant correlation between fetal MRI lung volume and postnatal NMPS lung perfusion, which supports obtaining perfusion studies as a part of risk-stratified follow-up. Larger multicenter studies are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.

TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective observational single-center cohort study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.