ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF FETAL TOOT H GERMS AND THEIR HISTOLOGICAL CORRELATION

Aim: The present study was to examine the radiographic and histologic correlation of the respective ultrasonographic findings. Methods: Hist ologic examinations were performed in 12 fetuses who had died in utero between 16 and 34 weeks of gestation. The fetuses had been examined b y intrauterine sonography for tooth germs and had been subjected to ad ditional radiographic examinations post abortum or partum. During auto psy, the tooth germs were again examined sonographically and radiograp hically, and non-decalcified histological sections were obtained by me ans of the sawing and grinding technique. Results: The results obtaine d by histologically examining the 12 fetal jaws in the ultrasonic plan e corresponded in all cases to those examined by sonography and radiol ogy. Conclusion: Sonographic proof of tooth germs might gain increasin g importance in future because agenesia of tooth germs is one of the p rincipal signs of a variety of hereditary syndromes, particularly thos e of ectodermal origin.