Fetal lip and primary palate: Three-dimensional versus two-dimensional US

PURPOSE: To determine if three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) improv es the ability to define the location and extent of facial clefting prenata lly compared with two-dimensional (2D) US. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one fetuses suspected of having a facial clef t were examined prospectively with 2D and 3D US. Follow-up was performed in all fetuses. RESULTS: Twenty-eight fetuses had a cleft lip at birth. The location of the cleft lip was correctly identified in all fetuses with 3D US and in 26 of 28 with 2D US. Twenty-two fetuses had a cleft primary palate. Nineteen and nine of 22 cleft palates were identified by using 3D and 2D US, respectivel y. Three fetuses suspected of having a facial cleft at 2D US had a normal p alate at 3D US and at birth. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional US is useful to identify the location and ext ent of facial clefting. The advantages of 3D US are the following: (a) The face may be viewed in a standard orientation, (b) the defect may be viewed systematically by using an interactive display, and (c) the rendered image provides landmarks for the planar images. Patient decisions may be affected , since they can view the abnormality on a recognizable 3D rendered image.