Fetal cleft lip with and without cleft palate: comparison between MR imaging and US for prenatal diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of fetal CL/CP and evaluate its diagnostic value.


METHODS
Twelve fetuses with CL/CP diagnosed by transabdominal US underwent MR imaging within 2 days of US. Half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) sequence on T2-weighted images was performed on sagittal, coronal, and axial planes anatomic to the fetuses during maternal breath holding. US and MR imaging findings were compared with final diagnoses obtained from post-natal physical examination or fetal autopsy.


RESULTS
Final diagnoses confirmed incomplete midline cleft lip (n=1), unilateral cleft lip and palate (n=7), bilateral cleft lip and palate (n=1), midline cleft lip and palate (n=3). US and MR imaging diagnosed all 12 fetuses with cleft lip and the laterality. 5 (45.5%) of 11 cleft palates were identified with US, 2 of 7 fetuses with unilateral cleft palate, 2 of 3 fetuses with midline cleft palate, and one fetus with bilateral cleft palate. On MR imaging, 10 (91%) of 11 cleft palates were correctly detected. One fetus with unilateral cleft palate was not detected. No false-positives occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
MR imaging is valuable for diagnosis of fetal CL/CP. It can demonstrate additional findings and provide more information compared with US.
Wang
Guangbin
G
Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute, Jinan, 250021, China. wgb7932596@hotmail.com
Shan
Ruiqin
R
Zhao
Lianxin
L
Zhu
Xiangyu
X
Zhang
Xinjuan
X
D000328:Adult; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal