Three-Dimensional MRI brain volume measurement of isolated mild to moderate ventriculomegaly in fetuses based on voxel-based morphometric analysis

Purpose To assess the predictive effect of measuring fetal brain volume based on voxel-based morphometric analysis on fetal brain development in fetuses with mild to moderate isolated lateral ventriculomegaly. Methods This retrospective study included fetuses that underwent magnetic resonance imaging at our institution between January 2020 and December 2024. The subjects include a case group consisting of fetuses with isolated mild-to-moderate ventriculomegaly and a control group consisting of healthy fetuses matched for gestational age. Statistical analysis was performed to compare quantitative volumes of fetal gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid between a cohort of fetuses with isolated lateral ventriculomegaly and a normal control cohort, using an independent-samples t-test. The voxel-based morphometric analysis was applied to assess gray matter differences between the two groups. Result Compared to the control group, the fetuses with mild to moderate isolated lateral ventriculomegaly exhibited a significantly increased cerebrospinal fluid volume and a significantly decreased white matter volume. voxel-based morphometric analysis revealed that compared with the normal control group, fetuses with ventriculomegaly exhibited significant gray matter volume reductions in widespread cortical regions, including the frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes, and the insula. Conclusion The voxel-based morphometry is useful in assessing local regional differences in the brain parenchyma of fetuses with isolated mild to moderate lateral ventriculomegaly.