Fetal Face: The Whole Picture

Abstract

The fetal face is an essential source of information. Its evaluation makes it possible to diagnose several fetal diseases and syndromes. Three-dimensional ultrasound and four-dimensional ultrasound facilitate the evaluation of superficial anatomical facial structures and have become essential complementary tools to two-dimensional ultrasound, providing additional and more precise information about the presence and severity of facial defects. This article reviews the normal facial development essential to understand the pathogenesis of facial malformations as well as the assessment of a normal and dysmorphic face with two-dimensional, three-dimensional and four-dimensional ultrasound and discusses the clinical implications of detecting facial anomalies in the prenatal period.

Zusammenfassung

Das fetale Gesicht ist eine essenzielle Informationsquelle. Durch dessen Beurteilung ist die Diagnose verschiedener fetaler Erkrankungen und Syndrome möglich. Die drei- und vierdimensionale Sonografie erleichtert die Bewertung von äußerlichen anatomischen Strukturen des Gesichts und beide wurden essenzielle Komplementärmethoden zum 2-D-Ultraschall, da sie zusätzliche und genauere Informationen über das Vorliegen und das Ausmaß von Gesichtsanomalien bieten. Diese Arbeit gibt einen Überblick über die normale Gesichtsentwicklung, die wichtig ist, um die Pathogenese von Missbildungen zu verstehen, sowie über die Bewertung des normalen und dysmorphen Gesichts in der 2-D-, 3-D- und 4-D- Sonografie, wobei die klinische Bedeutung, die die Entdeckung von Gesichtsanomalien in der pränatalen Periode hat, diskutiert wird.

Key words

ultrasound 2 D - ultrasound 3 D/4 D - fetal face - prenatal diagnosis - bonding

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