AbstractBackground: Fetal brain development, specifically the emergence of cerebral sulci, plays a crucial role in understanding fetal neurodevelopment. This study aimed to assess the normal development of fetal cerebral sulci using fetal MRI and to determine the gestational age at which various sulci become detectable.
Materials and Methods: A prospective descriptive anatomical study was conducted at the Department of Radiology, S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences, Davangere, from November 2017 to October 2018. The study included 50 antenatal mothers with singleton pregnancies, aged between 22 and 36 weeks of gestation. Participants underwent fetal MRI using a 1.5 Tesla Siemens Symphony SyngoMR machine, with HASTE T2-weighted imaging. The cerebral sulci were classified into three categories: present, absent, or partially developed, and evaluated by two blinded radiologists.
Results: The study observed the emergence of different cerebral sulci at distinct gestational weeks. Early sulci such as the cingulate and calcarine were detected by 24-25 weeks, while more complex sulci like the precentral, postcentral, and superior temporal sulcus became identifiable by 26-27 weeks. Full detection of these sulci occurred by 30-31 weeks, with the insular and occipito-temporal sulci appearing later. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between sulcus detection and gestational age.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the sequential development of fetal cerebral sulci and provides an important timeline for fetal brain maturation, with detectable sulci appearing progressively as gestation advances. The findings validate the use of fetal MRI in monitoring neurodevelopment and can serve as a reference for future studies on fetal brain abnormalities.
