Reproducibility of Lung and Liver Volume Measurements on Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Left-Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) affects 1 in 3,000 live births and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Methods: A review of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations was performed for fetuses with left CDH and normal lung controls. Image review and manual tracings were performed by 4 pediatric radiologists; right and left lung volumes in the coronal and axial planes as well as liver volume above and below the diaphragm in the coronal plane were measured. Intra- and interreviewer reproducibility was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. Results: Excellent intra- and interreviewer reproducibility of the right and left lung volume measurements was observed in both axial planes (interreviewer ICC: right lung: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.99; left lung: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.98) and coronal planes (interreviewer ICC: right lung: 0.97, 95% CI: 0.95–0.98; left lung: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93–0.98). Moderate-to-good interreviewer reproducibility was observed for liver volume above the diaphragm (ICC 0.7, 95% CI: 0.59–0.81). Liver volume below the diaphragm had a good-to-excellent interreviewer reproducibility (ICC 0.88, 95% CI: 9.82–0.93). Conclusions: The present study demonstrated an excellent intra- and interreviewer reproducibility of MRI lung volume measurements and good-to-moderate inter- and intrareviewer reproducibility of liver volume measurements after standardization of the methods at our fetal center.