The role of fetal MRI in cases with suspected renal abnormalities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The role of fetal MRI in cases with suspected renal abnormalities– does it add to antenatal ultrasound and does it help predict post-natal outcome?
IRAS ID
191707
Contact name
Elspeth Whitby
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 7 days
Research summary
Fetal MRI has come into practice since 1983 and is being increasingly used for various anomalies including renal concerns. However, there is limited information whether there is any added benefit of the same from the United Kingdom and also whether the postnatal imaging confirms the MRI findings.
This study will be based in Royal Hallamshire Hospital that is a part of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, United Kingdom and will be conducted from September 2015 to December 2016. The study has three parts.
1) The first part aims to collect data from all referrals for fetal MRIs from October 2011 due to concerns detected in the ultrasound scanning in this centre. Subsequently this data will be compared to that from ultrasound imaging to assess the impact on outcome. Based on this, the positive predictive value, any additional information gained and also the cost benefit ratio will be assessed.
2) There is current on-going work looking at normative renal data for size and kidney volume on fetal MRI done for non-renal related referrals. We will measure similar dimensions on the cohort identified from the above to compare with the normative data being collected. In addition, intra-observer and inter-observer variation will also be calculated for this group of patients.
3) We will be performing a qualitative survey about fetal MRI experience for parents. The patients will be given the opportunity to participate in the study when attending for fetal MRI both before and after the MRI.
The estimated number of patients that will be identified for this study ranges from thirty to forty.
In summary, this study aims to substantiate the increasing role of fetal MRI for renal concerns.REC name
West Midlands - Solihull Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/WM/0043
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion