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Objectives: To introduce an ultrasound training program for fetal palate screening by using a sequential sector scan through the oral fissure to train less experienced doctors and to investigate its effectiveness., Methods: Twenty doctors and several women at approximately 20-28 weeks of gestation with singleton pregnancies who provided informed consent were enrolled. The training program consisted of theory and practice training, several tests, and two surveys. Trainees were tested before training and immediately after training; for the latter, each item with a score that was less than 60% of the full score was again used for training with a reconstructed plan. Finally, a post-training test was completed., Results: The median theory scores, median practice scores, median language competence scores, and median self-assessment scores all increased significantly from the pre-training to post-training tests (P < .01). The median completion time for fetal palate scans decreased significantly from the pre-training to post-training tests (P < .01). The median questionnaire scores were 5.00 for pragmatism, 4.00 for content, 4.00 for scientific nature, and 5.00 for effectiveness., Conclusions: The training program for fetal palate screening can effectively standardize and improve doctors' scans for fetal palates. In addition, the program feasibly allows for the incorporation of the scan sequence into fetal palate screening., (© 2022 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Purpose of Review: Orofacial clefts (OCs) are among the most common congenital anomalies, however, prenatal detection of cleft palate without cleft lip (CP) remains low. CP is associated with a higher risk of associated structural anomalies, recurrence risk and genetic aberrations. There is opportunity to optimize prenatal diagnosis, counseling and diagnostic genetic testing for OCs., Recent Findings: Improving prenatal diagnosis of CP requires understanding that embryologically, the secondary palate develops from the 6th to the 10th week and fuses with the primary palate by the 12th week. Multiple first, second and third trimester 2D ultrasonographic markers for OCs have been described including the maxillary gap, frontal space, maxilla-nasion-mandible angle, retronasal triangle, palatino-maxillary diameter, equal sign, nonvisualization or gap in the soft to hard palate interface and loss of the superimposed line. We discuss the technique, evidence and limitations of each., Summary: Prenatal detection of OC can be optimized by employing 2D sonographic markers. Prenatal detection of CP may be improved by recognizing its high association with retrognathia/micrognathia., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel approach to the visualization of the fetal secondary palate using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound., Methods: Sonographic examinations were performed in normal fetuses and in one fetus with cleft lip and palate. To avoid acoustic shadowing from the alveolar ridge, the secondary palate was insonated at a 45 degrees angle in the sagittal plane, and 3D ultrasound was used to reconstruct axial and coronal planes., Results: The secondary palate was successfully visualized in 10 of 15 normal fetuses, both in the axial and coronal planes. In the fetus with cleft lip and palate the lesion of the secondary palate was clearly demonstrated, particularly in the coronal plane., Conclusion: Angled insonation and 3D ultrasound allow clear visualization of normal and cleft secondary palate., (Copyright 2006 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Cleft lip, with or without cleft palate, is the most common congenital craniofacial anomaly and the second most common birth defect worldwide. Micrognathia is a rare facial malformation characterized by small, underdeveloped mandible and frequently associated with retrognathia. Second- and third-trimester prenatal ultrasound is the standard modality for screening and identification of fetal orofacial abnormalities, with a detection rate in the low-risk population ranging from 0% to 73% for all types of cleft. The prenatal ultrasonography detection can also be performed during the first trimester of pregnancy. Given the potential limitations of obstetric ultrasound for examining the fetal face, such as suboptimal fetal position, shadowing from the surrounding bones, reduce amniotic fluid around the face, interposition of fetal limbs, umbilical cord and placenta, and maternal habitus/abdominal scars, the use of adjunct imaging modalities can enhance prenatal diagnosis of craniofacial anomalies in at-risk pregnancies. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a potentially useful second-line investigation for the prenatal diagnosis of orofacial malformations with a pooled sensitivity of 97%. In this review, we discuss the role of ultrasound and fetal MRI in the prenatal assessment of abnormalities of the upper lip, palate, and mandible., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the accuracy of prenatal fetal ultrasound (US) to detect cleft palate during the second and third trimester (12-36 weeks) of pregnancy in high-risk fetuses., Methods: Pubmed and Embase databases were searched for studies that performed prenatal fetal US (comparator) and postnatal examination (reference standard) in fetuses at high risk for orofacial clefts. Risk of bias among included studies was assessed using the QUADAS-2. Area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve and pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated., Results: This meta-analysis included 7 studies involving 663 high-risk fetuses. The individual studies showed that prenatal fetal US accurately predicted the possibility of cleft palate in these fetuses. Pooled sensitivity was 87% (95% CI 71%-95%), pooled specificity was 98% (95%CI 90%-100%), and the area under the SROC curve was 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.99)., Conclusion: Second and third trimester fetal US has excellent sensitivity and specificity for the detection of cleft palate in high-risk pregnancies., (© 2021 American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.)

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of three-dimensional ultrasound (3D-US) with reformatting technique in the diagnosis of fetal cleft lip/palate (CL/P), especially those involving the secondary palate., Methods: A total of 113 fetuses suspected with cleft lip (CL) on two-dimensional ultrasound (2D-US) were further evaluated by 2D-US and 3D-US with reformatting technique, in order to clarify the type of oral cleft. Lesions were classified as cleft lip (CL), cleft lip and alveolus (CLA), and cleft lip and palate (CLP) (including primary and secondary palate). All fetuses were followed until birth or termination of pregnancy. The diagnostic accuracies of 2D-US and 3D-US with reformatting technology were compared., Results: Both 2D-US and 3D-US with reformatting successfully detected CLs in the final 103 participants. Among these, 29, 25, and 49 cases were confirmed to have CL, CLA, and CLP, respectively. CL, CLA, and CLP were diagnosed by 2D-US in 34, 66, and 3 cases, respectively, and by 3D-US with reformatting technology in 31, 27, and 45 cases, respectively. The sensitivities of 2D-US and 3D-US with reformatting technology in the diagnosis of CLA were 80% (20/25) and 92.0% (23/25), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant. For CLP, however, the sensitivities were 6.1% (3/49) and 91.8% (45/49), respectively (P < .001)., Conclusions: Both 2D-US and 3D-US with reformatting technique have high diagnostic accuracy for CL and CLA. However, 3D-US has a much higher diagnostic accuracy for CLP., (© 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Facial clefts are among the most common congenital defects. Ultrasound (US) imaging of secondary fetal palate, especially the detection of isolated defects, remains challenging. Currently described two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional methods are technically demanding and impractical for application during routine fetal anatomy evaluation. As an adjunct method, magnetic resonance imaging can provide additional information but has its limitations. We present a novel 2D US approach using axial and sagittal planes to evaluate the fetal palate and demonstrate the main differences between an intact palate, isolated cleft palate, and a cleft lip with cleft palate., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objectives: To describe a novel sign, the 'superimposed-line' sign, for early diagnosis of cleft of the fetal secondary palate on two-dimensional imaging of the vomeromaxillary junction in the midsagittal view., Methods: This was a prospective evaluation of the superimposed-line sign using two-dimensional sonography (midsagittal view) in 9576 singleton fetuses referred for routine screening between 12 and 20 weeks of gestation. In this view, the vomer bone appears as a line superimposed on the distal two-thirds of the maxillary line, as the vomer fuses with the secondary palate in the midline. If there is a midline cleft of the secondary palate, the line formed by the palate is absent and hence only the vomer bone is visualized, creating a single line instead of the normal superimposed double line. Multiplanar three-dimensional (3D) views were assessed in cases in which the superimposed-line sign was absent., Results: The superimposed line was absent in 17 fetuses with a cleft of the secondary palate that was confirmed by 3D evaluation. Of these, 13 had defects involving the premaxilla and four had an isolated cleft of the secondary palate. Postnatal confirmation was available in all cases. The sign was useful in ruling out cleft of the fetal secondary palate in 32 high-risk cases with a family history of cleft palate. The superimposed-line sign had a sensitivity of 89.5% in detecting cleft of the secondary palate., Conclusions: The superimposed-line sign is a new sonographic marker for evaluation of cleft of the fetal secondary palate; documentation of this sign proves the presence of both the palate and vomer in the midline. This marker can be demonstrated clearly in the late first trimester, allowing early diagnosis of secondary palatine cleft. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd., (Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to define the prenatal ultrasound semiology of cleft palate without cleft lip using 3D visualization of the fetal palate., Methods: A prospective longitudinal study was performed in our University Hospital Center from 2011 to 2018. The fetal secondary palate was studied in 3D, starting with 2D axial transverse ultrasound view. We defined a cleft palate as a disruption of the horizontal plate of the palatine bone of the secondary palate. Prenatal findings were correlated to anatomic postnatal examinations performed by a paediatric plastic surgeon., Results: Forty-three cases of cleft palate without cleft lip were prenatally diagnosed, of whom 34 were associated with malformations. We defined four types of disruptive appearances: isolated nonvisualization of the posterior nasal spine; partial-disruption or cleft velum; complete disappearance or V-shaped cleft palate; and complete disappearance or U-shaped cleft palate. The adjusted kappa coefficient, between prenatal and postnatal evaluation, was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.79-0.97), corresponding to an excellent agreement., Conclusions: Using a strictly axial transverse ultrasound view, visualization of the secondary fetal palate enables to diagnose a cleft palate without cleft lip. This method offers a prenatal anatomic classification of cleft palate with a high level of concordance to postnatal findings., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Cleft lip and cleft palate (CP) are the most common facial malformations. Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound (US) is the first-line examination in the prenatal diagnosis of CP. Three-dimensional, four-dimensional US and MRI provide a better detection of facial clefts. We present two fetuses with micrognathia and suspected secondary CP on 2D US: fetal tongue appeared in an unusual position (low tip and high dorsum position) and showed uncoordinated movements. MRI did not confirm the US suspicion, but at birth the two fetuses were affected by Pierre Robin sequence., (© 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Orofacial clefts are one of the most common congenital malformations of the fetal face and ultrasound is mainly responsible for its diagnosis. It is difficult to view the fetal palate, so there is currently no unified standard for fetal palate screening, and the diagnosis of cleft palate is not included in the relevant prenatal ultrasound screening guidelines. Many prenatal diagnoses for cleft palate are missed due to the lack of effective screening methods. Therefore, it is imperative to increase the display rate of the fetal palate, which would improve the detection rate and diagnostic accuracy for cleft palate. We aim to introduce a fetal palate screening software based on the "sequential sector scan though the oral fissure", an effective method for fetal palate screening which was verified by our follow up results and three-dimensional ultrasound and to evaluate its feasibility and clinical practicability. Methods: A software was designed and programmed based on "sequential sector scan through the oral fissure" and three-dimensional ultrasound. The three-dimensional ultrasound volume data of the fetal face were imported into the software. Then, the median sagittal plane was taken as the reference interface, the anterior upper margin of the mandibular alveolar bone was selected as the fulcrum, the interval angles, and the number of layers of the sector scan were set, after which the automatic scan was performed. Thus, the sector scan sequential planes of the mandibular alveolar bone, pharynx, soft palate, hard palate, and maxillary alveolar bone were obtained in sequence to display and evaluate the palate. In addition, the feasibility and accuracy of the software in fetal palate displaying and screening was evaluated by actual clinical cases. Results: Full views of the normal fetal palates and the defective parts of the cleft palates were displayed, and relatively clear sequential tomographic images and continuous dynamic videos were formed after the three-dimensional volume data of 10 normal fetal palates and 10 cleft palates were imported into the software. Conclusions: The software can display fetal palates more directly which might allow for a new method of fetal palate screening and cleft palate diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We present a case with prenatal diagnosis of submucous cleft palate (SMCP) which was described using 2- and 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography in utero. Case Report: A 25-year-old pregnant woman was referred to our department for fetal ultrasound screening. After the detection of cardiac and spinal malformations of fetal, further detailed examination detected SMCP, which showed a gap within the hard palate on axial transversal view with the soft palate visible on sagittal view. The imaging of a defective hard palate in prenatal 3D ultrasonography is similar to that in postmortem 3D computed tomography reconstruction. Conclusion: A gap within the hard palate and verification of the visibility of the soft palate should be key points in the prenatal diagnosis of SMCP. Three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging is helpful for displaying the shape and extent of the bony defect in SMCP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: When an orofacial cleft lip is discovered, precise characterization of this malformation is necessary, especially the extension of this cleft to the secondary palate. We aimed to develop and evaluate the feasibility/reproducibility of a score-based quality control for the visualization of the fetal hard palate during the second-trimester scan.Material and Methods: All ultrasound images of fetal hard palate assessed routinely during second-trimester scan were retrospectively retrieved for a 6-month period. One hundred of these images were randomly selected and analyzed by two blinded reviewers, according to a scoring system (0-6 points). Criteria retained in the score were complete palate bone horizontal plate, presence of two pterygoid processes, visible alveolar ridge, and horizontal axis of insonation. A score ≥4 defined images of good quality. Inter- and intra-reviewer reproducibility was assessed.Results: Inter-reviewer reproducibility was excellent with significant correlation (Pearson coefficient 0.953; P < .0001), global adjusted κ coefficient (0.86, 95% CI 0.79-0.94) and individual criteria adjusted κ coefficient always > 0.8. Rates of images of good quality (score ≥ 4) were 75%-77%, also with excellent agreement (κ coefficient 0.89, 95% CI 0.79-0.99). Intra-reviewer reproducibility retrieved the same results (excellent agreement) except for the axis of insonation (satisfactory agreement).Conclusions: This simple image scoring system for the fetal palate is easy, has excellent inter- and intra-reviewer reproducibility and could also help sonographers to correctly identify the palate structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Sonographic evaluation of the palate is a difficult task, and most palatine clefts are diagnosed in the neonatal period because of the limitations of 2-dimensional (2D) sonography. The objective is to describe a sonographic technique based on 2D markers for screening of palatine clefts during the nuchal translucency scan and to assess the ability of 3-dimensional (3D) sonography in imaging the normal and abnormal palate. Methods A total of 2014 women who enrolled for first-trimester screening were included in this prospective study. Screening for palatine clefts was done by 2D evaluation of bony landmarks of the palate, which were the appearance of the palatal line in the sagittal view, retronasal triangle in the coronal view, and alveolar ridge of the maxilla in the axial view followed, by 3D evaluation in suspicious cases. All cases included in the study were followed by second-trimester anomaly scans and evaluated postnatally. Additionally, in 100 consecutive normal cases, 3D evaluation of the palate was done. Results Visualization of 2D landmarks could be done in all, and 3D assessment was feasible in 94% of cases. Fourteen cases, of which 5 were unilateral, 4 bilateral, and 2 median cleft lip and palate, 2 median cleft palate, and 1 atypical palatine cleft were identified. There were no false-positives results reported, and 1 case of a bifid uvula was missed. Conclusions The study demonstrates that evaluation of the palate can be done at the 11 to 14 week scan based on 2D markers and can also be assessed with 3D sonography. The inclusion of 2D markers in all 3 planes increases the sensitivity for detection of palatine clefts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe a new sign of cleft lip and palate (CLP), the maxillary gap, which is visible in the mid-sagittal plane of the fetal face used routinely for measurement of nuchal translucency thickness.Methods: This was a retrospective study of stored images of the mid-sagittal view of the fetal face at 11-13 weeks' gestation in 86 cases of CLP and 86 normal controls. The images were examined to determine if a maxillary gap was present, in which case its size was measured.Results: In 37 (43.0%) cases of CLP the defect was isolated and in 49 (57.0%) there were additional fetal defects. In the isolated CLP group, the diagnosis of facial cleft was made in the first trimester in nine (24.3%) cases and in the second trimester in 28 (75.7%). In the group with additional defects, the diagnosis of facial cleft was made in the first trimester in 46 (93.9%) cases and in the second trimester in three (6.1%). A maxillary gap was observed in 96% of cases of CLP with additional defects, in 65% of those with isolated CLP and in 7% of normal fetuses. There was a large gap (>1.5 mm) or complete absence of signals from the maxilla in the midline in 69% of cases of CLP with additional defects, in 35% of those with isolated CLP and in none of the normal controls.Conclusions: The maxillary gap is a new simple marker of possible CLP, which could increase the detection rate of CLP, especially in isolated cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The prenatal ultrasound visualization of the soft palate and especially the uvula may be technically difficult due to its anatomy and presence of surrounding structures. A cleft involving the soft palate and the uvula is one of the clinical features of Stickler syndrome, a rare connective tissue disorder. Materials and methods: Third trimester scan performed at 30 weeks' gestation in a pregnant woman with a familial history of Stickler syndrome using conventional 2D ultrasound. Results: Transabdominal scan performed with the fetal head in oblique plane and following fetal swallowing movements enabled a previously unrecognized median cleft at the level of the uvula. Molecular biology analysis allowed a precise prenatal diagnosis of Stickler syndrome and excluded overlapping syndrome. Conclusions: The prenatal ultrasound diagnosis was achieved time before the 'equals signs' was proposed as a useful sonographic marker of a normal uvula. The identification of a bifid uvula by conventional 2D ultrasound led to a prenatal diagnosis of Stickler syndrome in this affected Family and allowed the neonatologist team to be available at the time of birth. Moreover, postnatal multispecialist follow up could be timely planned for targeted organ examination and appropriate management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective To determine whether systematic examination of primary and secondary palates using three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound aids in the identification of orofacial clefts in the first trimester. Methods 3D datasets were acquired prospectively from women undergoing first-trimester ultrasound screening for aneuploidy. Multiplanar mode display was used for offline analysis of (1) the primary palate in the coronal plane at the base of the retronasal triangle and (2) the secondary palate by virtual navigation in the axial plane. In addition, 3D datasets from three fetuses with a cleft palate diagnosed in the first trimester were retrospectively identified and included randomly in the study group. Results A total of 240 3D datasets from 237 pregnancies (including three sets of twins), 89% of which were obtained transabdominally and 11% transvaginally, were examined independently by three operators. The quality of the 3D datasets was classified subjectively as good, fair and poor in 76%, 20% and 4% of cases, respectively. Seven fetuses had an orofacial cleft; all involved both the primary palate and the secondary palate. Using 3D offline analysis, the primary palate was classified as intact in 229 (95%), cleft in nine (4%) and indeterminate in two (1%). Seven of the nine fetuses suspected to have a cleft affecting the primary palate had the cleft confirmed at birth or at postmortem examination (false-positive rate 0.9% (2/231)). The secondary palate was classified as intact in 217 (90%), cleft in six (3%) and indeterminate in 17 (7%). Clefts of the secondary palate were confirmed in all six suspected cases and missed in one, which was diagnosed at 16 weeks. The visualization rate was affected by the quality of the 3D dataset ( P < 0.001) and gestational age at evaluation ( P < 0.01). Conclusion In our series, all cases of clefting of the primary palate and 86% of cases involving the secondary palate were visualized using 3D ultrasound with a satisfactory false-positive rate. Virtual navigation of the fetal palate using the multiplanar mode display seems to be useful in the diagnosis of clefting in the first trimester. Copyright © 2012 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the accuracy of prenatal axial three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound in predicting the absence or presence of cleft palate in the presence of cleft lip. Methods Between March 2005 and January 2009, there were 81 cases with a prenatal two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound screening diagnosis of unilateral or bilateral cleft lip at 22-25 weeks of gestation referred to our tertiary care center. Of these, 79 fetuses were included in this prospective study and two were excluded. Axial 3D ultrasound imaging of the fetal palate was performed and the diagnoses were compared with clinical findings at delivery. The frequencies of intact and cleft palate, the degree of association between the prenatal predictions and postnatal findings and the probability of detection of cleft lip and palate were determined. Results Of 79 prenatal predictions, 77 (97%) were correct and the association between the prenatal predictions and postnatal findings was strong. The sensitivity for detection of cleft lip and palate within this high-risk population was 100% and the specificity was 90%. In one of the excluded cases, the palate could not be visualized due to a fetal prone position. There were chromosomal anomalies in 4% of cases and associated structural or growth anomalies in 23%, termination of pregnancy was carried out in 4% and intrauterine fetal demise occurred in 3%. Conclusion Axial 3D ultrasound of the fetal palate has high accuracy in identifying prenatal cleft palate when cleft lip is diagnosed at mid-trimester 2D ultrasound screening. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ginecología y Obstetricia de México is the property of Federacion Mexicana de Ginecologia y Obstetricia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article presents the study on the use of two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound enhanced with the three-dimensional (3D) reverse-face view on detecting lip, alveolar ridge, and hard palate abnormalities. It states that cleft lip or palate is a non-lethal congenital abnormality that result from the failure of fusion of facial processes. It says that ultrasound can achieve prenatal detection of orofacial clefting. It adds that 2D and 3D imaging can be used on the assessment of facial clefts.

Objective: To assess the use of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in obtaining a definitive prenatal diagnosis of cleft palate. Design: All expectant mothers with a sonographically diagnosed fetal cleft lip or a previously affected child with cleft palate were offered antenatal MRI at around 34 weeks' gestation. Images were interpreted by a consultant radiologist who was blinded to the ultrasound diagnosis. Two MRI readings were performed: one at the time of examination and one at the end of the study to elicit the radiologist's learning curve. MRI findings were correlated with the birth diagnosis. Setting: Tertiary referral center for facial clefts—the Spires Cleft Centre, Oxford Children's Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. Participants: Study participants included 49 pregnant women between 24 and 37 weeks' gestation, four with a family history of cleft posterior palate and 45 with a facial cleft on a 20-week ultrasound. Results: The positive predictive value of fetal MRI for involvement of the palate was 96%, and the negative predictive value was 80%. The accuracy in predicting palatal clefting of four different MRI signs is discussed. The radiologist's interpretation skills significantly improved between the two MRI readings. Conclusions: Fetal MRI enables us to predict accurately the extent of a cleft palate after an ultrasound diagnosis of cleft lip. With more accurate diagnosis of the severity of the cleft, we can counsel patients more precisely and plan postnatal management correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a feasibility study that determines the visualization of the uvula and the soft palate during routine two dimensional (2D) ultrasound examination. It also examines the development of a sonographic procedure that simplifies prenatal detection of isolated fetal cleft palate. It notes that the study investigated the 667 consecutive patients with a singleton pregnancy between 20-25 weeks of gestation. It shows that Visualization of the equals sign proves an intact palate.

The article presents a study that compares the performance of sonographic techniques such as reverse-face, flipped-face, and oblique-face for the diagnosis of cleft lip and palate (CLP). It details the specific procedures used for the three techniques in visualizing the soft and hard palate of the 50 fetuses with no CLP and 10 cases with CLP. It reveals the capacity of the oblique-face or flipped-face to provide a well visualization of the soft palate in selected areas.

Objectives: To report a technique to view the fetal soft and hard palates, utilizing acquired routine 3-D volumes of the fetal face. Method: The axial, sagittal and coronal planes in acquired volumes of 3-D surface rendering of 5 normal fetal faces obtained at 19, 21, 23, 26 and 28 weeks, respectively, were reviewed by focusing on the uvula. Results: The surfaces of the soft and the hard palate could be viewed in oblique axial, oblique sagittal and targeted coronal planes in all fetuses. Conclusion: Rotating or tilting of the axial, sagittal and coronal planes of the fetal head allows the visualization of the various aspects of the soft and hard palates, with the uvula as a useful landmark. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article studies the accuracy of the use of antenatal ultrasound in diagnosing isolated cleft palate (CP) and cleft lip (CL) with or without cleft palate. Research findings show the frequent occurrence of inaccuracies in antenatal ultrasound reports in cases when attempts are made to predict if there is a CP and to determine the type of CL. Also cited are the issues' implications for ultrasound in obstetrics.

The article discusses the prenatal diagnosis of clefting of the secondary palate seen on a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. The secondary palate consists of a hard palate, running posterior and horizontal to the incisive foramen and a soft palate or velum that curves downwards and backwards from behind the hard palete, ending at the uvula. 3D ultrasound helps in the visual image of clefts of the lip and primary palate and gives precise information on any orofacial clefting in the fetus.