Antenatal depiction of the fetal ear with three-dimensional ultrasonography.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of examining the fetal ear with three-dimensional ultrasound.


METHODS
In 125 pregnancies between 19 and 38 weeks of gestation, fetal ears were evaluated by three-dimensional ultrasound. The volume images with surface rendering were analyzed to depict the morphology, lying axis, orientation, and cranial location of the fetal ears.


RESULTS
Three-dimensional images of one or both ears were successfully reconstructed in 105 fetuses. Among them, 18 fetuses had anomalous ears. The anomalous ears, including microtia, low-set ear with slope axis, abnormal ear orientation, and edematous ear, were confirmed after delivery. Three-dimensional ultrasound consistently displayed fetal ear abnormalities with greater accuracy and clarity.


CONCLUSIONS
Because anomalous ears may be a part of complex fetal malformations, it is important to recognize ear abnormalities. Due to the complexity of the fetal ear, three-dimensional ultrasound offers more important information than two-dimensional ultrasound, which simply gives auricular geometry. We suggest that three-dimensional ultrasound can be used better to examine the fetal ear and may prove to be useful for prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.
Shih
J C
JC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei.
Shyu
M K
MK
Lee
C N
CN
Wu
C H
CH
Lin
G J
GJ
Hsieh
F J
FJ
D004431:Ear, External / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*