OBJECTIVETo investigate the prenatal ultrasonic manifestations of fetal gray matter heterotopias (FGMH) and evaluate the optimal method its prenatal diagnosis.

METHODSThe prenatal and postnatal ultrasound images and MRI images were analyzed for a fetus with a definitive diagnosis of FGMH. The detection rates of FGMH by prenatal ultrasound and MRI reported in literature were compared.

RESULTSWe identified 11 reports of FGMH from 1998 to 2015, involving 43 cases with prenatal diagnoses. Of the total of 44 cases (including our case), 32 that had been confirmed postpartum had prenatal ultrasound and MRI data, which showed a significantly lower detection rates of FGMH by prenatal ultrasound than by MRI (43.8% vs 93.8%, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONPrenatal ultrasound can only detect subependymal heterotopia with characteristic manifestations, and the detection of other types of FGMH relies on MRI, which is currently the best option for prenatal diagnosis of FGMH.

Classical Lissencephalies and Subcortical Band Heterotopias ; diagnosis ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnosis ; Fetus ; Gray Matter ; pathology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal