Role of antenatal 2D and 3D ultasonography in detection of cleft lip

Abstract

Ultrasound examination is used for screening of abnormal findings on prenatal screening. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate of the fetus can also be screened by using ultrasonography. Presence of abnormal findings of the fetal lip or palate can be detected accurately and quickly by having a thorough understanding of the embryology of the face. A 30 year-old woman G1P1L0 presented for routine antenatal ultrasound at 19 weeks 4 days according to last menstrual period. Presence of a vertical hypoechoic defect in the upper lip in the paramedian location, not reaching upto the nares is an important sign in the coronal view which aid in the diagnosis. We report a case of unilateral cleft lip without any obvious cleft palate diagnosed antenatally in the second trimester with a brief review of embryology of the face along with critical and practical points in fetal ultrasonographic diagnosis.