Validation of biometric study of fetal mandibles by 3D tomodensitometric images.
We carried out a biometric study of the mandible during the last two trimesters of fetal life using three-dimensional tomodensitometric images. We first validated the method of fetal mandible measurement from three-dimensional reconstructions, and then compared these measurements with direct measurements on dissected mandibles. Thanks to the biometric technique on three-dimensional images, dissection of mandibles is no longer necessary, allowing the material to be conserved for later studies. Tomodensitometric images of the whole fetal skull can be obtained in 10 minutes, a much shorter time than that required for dissection of the fetal mandible. Another major advantage is the possibility of computerized image storage, which allows subsequent studies on the same material, its observation and manipulation as well as exchange of findings with the research community, with no risk of damage to the original material.
Unité Mixte de Recherche 6578/CNRS, Marseille, France.
Sonia
S
Perez-Guevara
Christophe
C
Bartoli
Jean
J
Giustiniani
Pascal
P
Adalian
Marie-Dominique
MD
Piercecchi-Marti
Michel
M
Panuel
Bruno
B
Foti
Georges
G
Leonetti
D001699:Biometry; D002102:Cadaver; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002680:Chin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D003724:Dental Arch / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005333:Fetus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*