title: Three- and four-dimensional ultrasonography for the structural and functional evaluation of the fetal face.
abstract: Ultrasonographic examination of the fetal face can provide information that may lead to the diagnosis of anomalies in other organs or systems. Thus, the fetal face represents a "diagnostic window" for fetal diseases and syndromes. Three-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) improves the evaluation of anatomic fetal facial anomalies over what is possible by 2-dimensional ultrasonography (2DUS). Four-dimensional ultrasonography (4DUS), by adding the temporal component to the examination, allows visualization of facial expressions that might be useful in the study of fetal behavior and maternal-fetal bonding. In this article, we evaluate the potential of 3D/4DUS for the study of structural and functional development of the fetal face.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School University of Zagreb, Sveti Duh Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Asim
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kurjak
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Azumendi
authors.forename: Wiku
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Andonotopo
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salihagic-Kadic
mesh_terms: D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology*; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods