Fetal age determination through biparietal diameter: a simple method of cranial reconstruction using multipurpose silicone.
In forensic medicine, gestational age of fetal remains is a crucial information in several contests, but the classic methods are inadequate when early gestational age needs to be assessed. In the author's experience, the measurement of the biparietal diameter provides more accurate information for this purpose. The status of the fetal head is therefore critical. This work describes an easy technique that allows to reconstruct the cranial volume of the fetus using multipurpose silicone given both the flexibility of the fetal head structure and the inorganic nature of the silicone itself. In conclusion, the determination of the biparietal diameter achieved through the above-described technique permitted a more accurate estimation of the dating of pregnancy in judicial cases where the fetal remains were incomplete and disrupted.
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic Sciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 336, 00161, Rome, Italy.
Mariarosaria
M
Aromatario
Paola A
PA
Fiore
Simone
S
Cappelletti
Edoardo
E
Bottoni
Costantino
C
Ciallella
D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods*; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012828:Silicones; D012886:Skull / Q000033:anatomy & histology*
D012828:Silicones
cranial reconstruction; fetal autopsy; forensic science; gestational age; physical anthropology; silicone