Methodology and application of three-dimensional ultrasonographic viewing of fetal palate

Objective To investigate the methodology of three-dimensional ultrasonography to display fetal palate and its clinical application value in prenatal diagnosis of cleft palate.Methods Volume data of 100 normal fetal faces and 32 fetus of cleft lip ranging from 13—35 weeks gestation were acquired with three-dimensional ultrasonography.The fetal palate in sagittal plane,coronal plane and transverse plane were viewed by rotating the x,y,z axis and regulate the button of threshold and slice.Results On sagittal plane,the visualization rate of fetal palate was 93.00%(93/100),the fetal palate presented as zonary slightly hyperechogenicity from anterior to posterior,the surface was smooth,and the front of it stretched to dental process which was also hyperechogenicity.On coronal plane,the visualization rate of fetal palate was 91.00%(91/100),which presented in central region and took on continuous cambered zonary with slight hyperechogenicity,the palate and nasal bone had trigonal relationship.On transverse sagittal plane,the visualization rate of fetal palate was 90.00%(90/100),which looked like arched door with slight hyperechogenicity,the front,left and right surface of fetal palate were surrounded by dental process.The rate of fetal palate revealed in all above three planes was 88.00%(88/100).There were 9 cleft palate confirmed by follow-up in all 32 fetus of cleft lip.The position,fissure width,whole shape and orientation of cleft palate were showed clearly with three-dimensional ultrasonography.Conclusion Application of three-dimensional ultrasonography to reveal fetal palate is easy to operate.To master the methodology of three-dimensional ultrasonography imaging has important clinical value for increase the detection rate of fetal cleft palate.