Penile biometry on prenatal magnetic resonance imaging

• Published in: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 330 - 335
• Main Authors: Nemec, S. F., Nemec, U., Weber, M., Brugger, P. C., Bettelheim, D., Rotmensch, S., Krestan, C. R., Rimoin, D. L., Graham, J. M., Prayer, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-03-2012; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biometry; Female; fetal penile length; genital abnormalities; Genital Diseases, Male - diagnosis; Genital Diseases, Male - diagnostic imaging; Genital Diseases, Male - embryology; Gestational Age; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Penis - diagnostic imaging; Penis - embryology; Penis - growth & development; Pregnancy; Prenatal Diagnosis - methods; prenatal MRI; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Sex Determination Analysis - methods; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Gynecology; Genital system; fetal penile length; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Obstetrics; Pregnancy; Prenatal; genital abnormalities; prenatal MRI; Length; Penis; Medical imagery; Fetus
• ISSN: 0960-7692; 1469-0705
• DOI: 10.1002/uog.9022

Objective
In view of the implementation of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an adjunct to ultrasonography in prenatal diagnosis, this study sought to demonstrate normal penile growth on prenatal MRI.
Methods
This was a retrospective study of MRI of 194 male fetuses (18–34 weeks' gestation) with normal anatomy or minor abnormalities. On sagittal T2‐weighted MRI sequences, we measured penile length from the glans tip to the scrotal edge (outer length) and from the glans tip to the symphyseal border (total length). Descriptive statistics, as well as correlation and regression analysis, were used to evaluate penile length in relation to gestation. T‐tests were calculated to compare mean outer/total length on MRI with published ultrasound data.
Results
Mean length values, including 95% CIs and percentiles, were defined. Penile length as a function of gestational age was expressed by the following regression equations: outer mean length = − 5.514 + 0.622 × gestational age in weeks; total mean length = − 8.865 + 1.312× gestational age in weeks. The correlation coefficients, r = 0.532 and r = 0.751, respectively, were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Comparison of outer penile length on MRI with published ultrasound penile length data showed no significant differences, while total penile length on MRI was significantly greater than ultrasound penile length (P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Our MRI results provide a reference range of fetal penile length, which, in addition to ultrasonography, may be helpful in the identification of genital anomalies. Outer penile length on MRI is equivalent to penile length measured on ultrasound, whereas total length is significantly greater. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.