Imaging of open spinal dysraphisms in the era of prenatal surgery

Over the last decade fetal surgery to repair open spinal dysraphisms has become an acceptable and in some cases desirable alternative to the traditional method of postnatal closure. Fetal MRI is an essential part of the workup in these patients, not only to select the appropriate candidates for fetal surgery but also to guide prenatal counseling and perinatal management. In this article we review current surgical techniques for prenatal repair, relevant imaging findings in the era of fetal surgery, and expected imaging findings of the brain and spine in the fetal and postnatal periods.