title: The three-dimensional ultrasonography of the fetal face--history and progress.
abstract: Fetal face was the main concern of researchers who developed three-dimensional ultrasound. 3-D ultrasound beginnings date back to 1973. Parallel concerns of researchers from different parts of the world have led to a constantly changing the equipment and software. 3-D images of the fetal face were obtained since 1986, but those that are available on the ultrasound devices sold today dates from 1992, and the 4-D since 1996. Techniques such as volume rendering and multiplanar volume rendering, led to the development of 3-D ultrasound. Late 2000 revealed study fetal face by multiplane three-dimensional ultrasound, through the acquisition of volume and its processing. Study of fetal profile by this method provides new data on the jaw, naso-maxillo-mandibular angle, even a diagram of the fetal profile or of dimensions of the fetal face or nasal bone length. Fetal profile analyzed by 16 parameters measured by 3-D ultrasound, with the creation of a craniofacial index variable is useful in assessing normal and abnormal fetal face. Today, the bones of fetal face--nose, jaw, bone palace, those of the orbit, can be studied in dynamics, from 12-14 gestational weeks. The best ultrasound images can be obtained after 21 gestational weeks, when fetal size and its ratio with amniotic fluid are optimal for the acquisition of fetal volume.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Târgu Mureş.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mărginean
authors.forename: Klara
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brînzaniuc
authors.forename: Gh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mühlfay
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Horvath
authors.forename: Oana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mărginean
mesh_terms: D001317:Austria; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000266:history; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000266:history; D005858:Germany; D005865:Gestational Age; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D007564:Japan; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013624:Taiwan; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000266:history; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States