The Study of the Maxillary Growth and Primary Fetal Palate Through Multiplanary Three-Dimensional Ultrasound – Skeletal Rendering

Mărginean C¹, Brînzaniuc Klara², Rozsnyai Klára¹, Mühlfay Gh³, Horváth Karin⁴, Mărginean Oana Cristina⁵

1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
2 Department of Anatomy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
3 Department of Otorhinolaringology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
4 Department of Ophtalmology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania
5 Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tîrgu Mureş, Romania

Introduction: This study aims to suggest a new technique for the ultrasound assessment of fetal facial bones at the end of the first trimester and the beginning of the second gestational trimester.
Material and method: The study was conducted over a period of 6 months, between October 2010 and March 2011, on a number of 52 acquired fetal 3D volumes, stocked by the same operator, on fetuses with normal echo structure, from unique pregnancies. The cohort of 52 fetuses had the gestational age between 12–14 weeks. Ultrasonographies were made at 16–17 weeks and 22–24 weeks. The methodology for the evidence of primary palate and maxillary alveolar used a 3D multiplanary ultrasonography technique “Face Reverse View” with Maxi IP and Skeletal Rendering.
Results: Practically, in all volumes the presence of the jaw with alveolar ridge and primarly palate as single, uninterrupted structure has been documented.
Conclusions: The usage of Skeletal Rendering can provide further information at the level of the cranial bone, especially in the first half of pregnancy.