3D computed tomography of the human fetal cranium

Aim of the study was to assess the value of in vitro three-dimensional comp uted tomography (3D-CT) as a new method for the depiction of the fetal skul l. 3D-CT images of a fetal head of 24 weeks gestational age were generated with the implemented software on the basis of contiguous CT slices of 1 mm thickness. 3D-CT gave real three-dimensional information about morphology a nd spatial arrangement of the cranial bones. Using cutting and rotating pro cedures fast evaluation of all imaged ossified structures in arbitrary view s without disturbing superpositions was possible, thus allowing easy identi fication and accurate description of the cranial bones and making isolated examinations of particular macroscopic sections of the specimens unnecessar y. Advantages of 3D-CT over other evaluation techniques for the fetal crani um and its limitations are discussed. In conclusion, 3D-CT promises to be a n effective tool for the investigation of fetal cranial development.