P091: Improving sonographers' awareness of facial clefting

Abstract

Objective: To assess the performance of stereoscopic viewing compared to conventional display of 3D Ultrasound (3DUS) data for evaluation of fetal cranial structures. Methods: A series of twenty human fetuses were evaluated using conventional 3DUS scanning systems. 2-5 volumes were acquired of the fetal head. Volume rendered images of the fetal cranium, face and internal structures were displayed interactively using routine scanner and workstation display. Volume data also were displayed using a real-time stereoscopic graphics workstation. Visualization parameters could be interactively optimized for both approaches. Both routine and stereoscopic images were evaluated for clarity of structure visualization (sutures, palate, teeth, orbits, etc.), interactivity and ability to identify key anatomic landmarks. Results: Fetal cranial structures were readily identified using both standard viewing and stereoscopic viewing strategies. Fetal cranial structures were more clearly visualized using volume rendered stereoscopic display than standard volume rendered displays. Inclusion of planar slice review further assisted in identification of structures. Stereoscopic display improved conspicuity of complex cranial structures. Conclusions: Stereoscopic display of volume rendered 3DUS data adds valuable information that assists identification of fetal cranial structures, such as sutures and palate. The increasing availability of stereoscopic visualization workstations will offer an additional tool to fetal diagnosis and evaluation. Conclusion:The guidelines have produced a positive impact on sonographer awareness of facial clefting. They are altering clinical practise particularly in imaging the alveolar ridge. P091Improving sonographers' awareness of facial clefting

The Impact of Training on the Detection of Facial Clefts

“…As shown in Table 1, the resulting data confirmed that the booklet fulfilled the objectives of providing an increased awareness of clefting issues and a clinically useful resource for sonographers. 10 Having established that the guidelines provided a useful resource for sonographers wishing to incorporate effective evaluation of the fetal face for facial clefting into their anomaly screening protocol, it was necessary to evaluate whether clinical effectiveness increased in those departments that had adopted the CLAPA guidelines. A total of 38 centres agreed to participate in a study that compared the detection rate of facial clefting prior to the publication of the guidelines with that following their adoption by the center.…”