A novel technique for visualization of the normal and cleft fetal secondary palate: angled insonation and three-dimensional ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel approach to the visualization of the fetal secondary palate using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound.


METHODS
Sonographic examinations were performed in normal fetuses and in one fetus with cleft lip and palate. To avoid acoustic shadowing from the alveolar ridge, the secondary palate was insonated at a 45 degrees angle in the sagittal plane, and 3D ultrasound was used to reconstruct axial and coronal planes.


RESULTS
The secondary palate was successfully visualized in 10 of 15 normal fetuses, both in the axial and coronal planes. In the fetus with cleft lip and palate the lesion of the secondary palate was clearly demonstrated, particularly in the coronal plane.


CONCLUSIONS
Angled insonation and 3D ultrasound allow clear visualization of normal and cleft secondary palate.
Pilu
G
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Policlinico S.Orsola-Malpighi and University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. pilu@aosp.bo.it
Segata
M
M
D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*