Structural anomalies in early embryonic death: a 3-dimensional pictorial essay.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this pictorial essay was to determine whether 3-dimensional (3D) surface rendering of a dead first-trimester embryo can provide any information for the loss.


METHODS
Three-dimensional surface rendering was performed on a collection of dead first-trimester embryos with crown-rump lengths between 12 and 27 mm. These were compared with 2-dimensional (2D) images of the same embryos and with 2D images and 3D surface renderings of normally developing embryos.


RESULTS
Surface rendering of dead embryos showed a variety of abnormalities in the contour and limb formation.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of 3D sonography may provide insight into the etiology of first-trimester embryonic death.
Bromley
Bryann
B
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. bbsono@aol.com
Shipp
Thomas D
TD
Benacerraf
Beryl R
BR
D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D014463:Ultrasonography