Sonographic Imaging of the Fetal Hard Palate During the Second-Trimester Pregnancy Scan

Abstract

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the more common congenital abnormalities, representing the fourth most common birth defect in the United States, with an incidence of 1 in 700 live births. The study of fetal secondary palate has reached new potential due to new 3D applications— namely, tomographic sonography imaging and volume contrast imaging (VCI). The aim of this review is to describe the 3D sonographic setting for a systematic study of the fetal secondary palate during second-trimester pregnancy. Sonographers can easily achieve appropriate training in 3D scanning of the fetal face under expert tutoring. The sonographic study of the fetal secondary palate should become an integral part of the second-trimester scan. Technically, the axial and coronal sections are those that better display the 3D reconstruction, especially when the fetus is facing the transducer (profile section). The use of static VCI may enhance tomographic sonography imaging of the fetal secondary palate and should therefore be integrated in this target examination.