2D AND 3D ULTRASOUND IN THE PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF OTOCEPHALY - A COMPLEX CRANIOFACIAL ABNORMALITY

Alison Webb DipAppSc (MRT) GradDipAppSc (Medical Ultrasonography), Senior Sonographer, Christopher Kohlenberg Department of Perinatal Ultrasound, Nepean Hospital, Penrith.

Abstract
This paper is a report of the prenatal diagnosis of a case of Otocephaly using 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Otocephaly is a very rare and lethal condition characterised by a host of craniofacial abnormalities involving the mandible, temporal bones, ear, mouth, eyes and brain. The extent of the pathological features is not well appreciated using 2D ultrasound and diagnosis is usually late.
Our department had recently purchased a Medison Voluson 530D MT 3D Ultrasound machine at the time of this case. We were keen to explore its applications for obstetrics and gynaecology other than simply producing appealing photographs of fetal faces. The use of 3D ultrasound proved invaluable in this case. We were able to document the striking features of this very complex pathology and provide the parents with a likely prognosis at 26 weeks gestation.

Citation
Webb A. 2D and 3D ultrasound in the prenatal diagnosis of otocephaly - a complex craniofacial abnormality. ASUM Bulletin 2001.2:14-16.