Prenatal diagnosis of fetal acrania using three-dimensional ultrasound

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2005 Feb;31(2):175-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2004.10.005.

Abstract

Fetal acrania is uniformly lethal and termination is suggested whenever the diagnosis is made. Traditionally, the diagnostic tool was 2-D ultrasound (US). In this series, we report our work of detecting acrania using 3-D US. We reviewed our medical records of prenatal diagnosis on fetal acrania in National Cheng Kung University Hospital from May 1997 to December 2002. All the cases were scanned by a 3-D US scanner. In total, 29 cases of fetal acrania were diagnosed. The range of gestational age at prenatal diagnosis by US was between 11 and 21 weeks and 44% were depicted in the first trimester. Among them, 93.1% were isolated findings, and one was associated with trisomy 18. Comparing with previous literature, 3-D US can detect fetal acrania as early as 2-D US, and it also can provide additional vivid illustration after various modes of reconstruction, which 2-D US cannot. In conclusion, 3-D US may contribute to early detection of fetal acrania and provide a novel visual depiction of this defect after reconstruction; thus, assists substantially in diagnosis as well as consultation.

MeSH terms

  • Abnormalities, Multiple / diagnostic imaging
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fetus / abnormalities*
  • Gestational Age
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Maternal Age
  • Pregnancy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skull / abnormalities*
  • Skull / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal / methods*